Karen Read Defense Rests in Second Murder Trial

The defense in Karen Read's second murder trial has rested, with closing arguments set to follow. Read is accused of fatally striking her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die outside a house party in January 2022. Prosecutors allege she intentionally hit O'Keefe, but the defense claims she was framed, arguing that evidence was planted and that O'Keefe was beaten and left outside, not struck by the SUV. Defense experts, including crash reconstructionists and a former medical examiner, testified that injury patterns and the absence of bruising on O'Keefe's arm were inconsistent with being hit by a vehicle. The second trial follows a mistrial in the first proceedings, which ended with a hung jury. The case has attracted national attention and allegations of police misconduct, with jury deliberations expected soon.