Court seeks 2 additional jurors in Karen Read retrial

Jury selection for the retrial of Karen Read is ongoing, with efforts to seat a total of 18 jurors, 12 of whom will deliberate. As of now, the court has seated 16 jurors, but the selection process has been slow, taking nearly ten days, compared to five days for her first trial. The court initially aimed for 16 jurors but increased the target to 18 due to the anticipated length of the trial, which could last up to eight weeks. During the selection, many potential jurors have expressed prior knowledge of the case, raising concerns about impartiality. Additionally, a federal judge has ruled against a lawsuit by Read's supporters seeking to remove a protest buffer zone around the courthouse, which was put in place due to disruptions during the first trial. The retrial centers on Read's alleged involvement in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, in January 2022.