Karen Read's Murder Trial Delayed Amid Federal Appeal

Karen Read's retrial for the murder of Boston police officer John O'Keefe is facing potential delays as her defense team seeks to push the trial start date from April 1 to later in the month while awaiting a federal appeals court decision on double jeopardy claims. Read, who has pleaded not guilty, is accused of hitting O'Keefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in January 2022 after a night of drinking. The defense argues that five jurors from her previous mistrial indicated they were ready to acquit her on two charges, which they hope to leverage in their appeal. Judge Beverly Cannone has expressed concerns about the logistical challenges of rescheduling, given that jurors have already been summoned for the original date. Additionally, the prosecution has reserved the right to oppose further delays, emphasizing the need for an efficient trial process. The outcome of Thursday's hearing will determine key trial parameters and evidence admissibility.