The Karen Read murder retrial continues to unfold with dramatic testimony, particularly concerning former Canton police officer Kelly Dever. As of early June 2025, the defense’s strategy hinges on planting doubt about the prosecution’s narrative, a task complicated by shifting witness accounts and the introduction of potentially damaging text messages. The courtroom in Dedham, Massachusetts, remains a focal point, as the complex case surrounding the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe pushes forward.
The retrial, following a mistrial last year due to a hung jury, has brought renewed scrutiny to every piece of evidence and every witness. The defense is arguing that Read was framed as part of a police conspiracy, suggesting that O’Keefe may have sustained his fatal injuries from a dog attack inside a home before being left outside. This counter-narrative directly challenges the prosecution’s claim that Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die in the snow.
Shifting Testimony and Accusations
A significant development in the Kelly Dever, Karen Read retrial involved the testimony of former Canton Police officer Kelly Dever. Now a Boston Police officer, Dever was called by the defense to discuss statements she previously made regarding the handling of Read’s SUV at the Canton Police Department’s sally port, a garage area. During an earlier federal investigation, Dever had stated she saw ATF Agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz alone with Read’s vehicle for “a wildly long time” in the sally port. This observation, if accurate, could support the defense’s theory of planted evidence.
However, Dever’s testimony on the stand took an unexpected turn. She recanted her earlier statement, telling the jury that she had her timeline incorrect and was not working when Read’s vehicle arrived. Dever attributed this “false memory” to the extensive media coverage surrounding the case, stating that she made her initial comment “in good faith.” The exchange grew heated when defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Dever about her change in testimony. Dever then accused Read’s legal team of threatening to charge her with perjury if she did not lie on the stand. Read, speaking outside the courthouse, denied these claims, suggesting Dever might be a “compromised person” and that they simply wanted her to be as honest as she was with other authorities. This dramatic moment underscored the intense and often contentious nature of the proceedings, making the role of Kelly Dever, Karen Read‘s case a topic of considerable discussion.
The Impact of Michael Proctor’s Text Messages
Another critical aspect of the current retrial revolves around text messages sent by Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in O’Keefe’s death. Proctor, who was subsequently fired from the Massachusetts State Police for sharing confidential information about the case and for “conduct unbecoming,” sent inappropriate and vulgar messages about Read during the investigation.
The defense successfully argued to have these messages admitted into evidence, not to prove the truth of their content, but to demonstrate Proctor’s potential bias and state of mind during the investigation. Jonathan Diamandis, a childhood friend of Proctor and a recipient of some of these messages, testified for the defense. While Diamandis expressed discomfort reading the more explicit texts aloud, the defense team ensured they were presented to the jury. One particularly revealing exchange included a message where an unnamed person asked Proctor if the homeowner where O’Keefe’s body was found would face scrutiny, to which Proctor replied, “Nope. Homeowner is a Boston cop, too.” This suggests a potential for bias and an early conclusion about Read’s guilt, even before a medical examiner’s report was finalized. The revelation of these messages adds another layer of complexity to the prosecution’s case and feeds into the defense’s argument of a compromised investigation.
Expert Testimony and Ongoing Arguments
The defense has begun presenting its case, calling a variety of witnesses to support their claims. Dr. Marie Russell, a Los Angeles-based emergency physician and forensic pathologist, testified for the defense as a dog bite expert. She asserted that injuries found on John O’Keefe’s arm and holes in his hoodie were consistent with a dog attack, not with being struck by a vehicle. Russell’s testimony directly contradicts the prosecution’s narrative, which posits that O’Keefe’s injuries were caused by impact with Read’s SUV.
The prosecution, in turn, has worked to undermine Russell’s credibility, highlighting that she did not physically examine O’Keefe’s arm and relied on photographs and medical records. They also pointed out that the medical examiner described O’Keefe’s injuries as “superficial” abrasions lacking significant depth or puncture wounds. This battle of expert testimony is crucial, as the jury must weigh conflicting scientific interpretations of the evidence.
The defense’s case is expected to continue for another week to two weeks, considerably longer than their presentation in the first trial. They are bringing forward new witnesses and revisiting established points of contention, all in an effort to sow enough reasonable doubt to secure an acquittal for Karen Read. Judge Beverly Cannone recently denied a defense motion to dismiss all charges, a routine request but one that allowed defense attorney Alan Jackson to outline their key arguments for dismissal, framing the prosecution’s case as a “vindictive prosecution” lacking definitive proof of a collision. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan, however, maintains that the evidence of a collision is “overwhelming.”
The proceedings remain highly charged, with each side meticulously scrutinizing witness accounts and presenting their interpretations of the evidence. The outcome of the Kelly Dever, Karen Read trial hangs in the balance, a testament to the intricate and often dramatic nature of legal proceedings.
As the Karen Read retrial progresses, it is evident that every detail, every statement, and every piece of evidence is being meticulously examined. The courtroom drama, with its intense exchanges and shifting narratives, keeps the public riveted. The defense is working tirelessly to present an alternative explanation for John O’Keefe’s death, challenging the very foundation of the prosecution’s case. The testimony of key individuals, like Kelly Dever, and the revelations from Michael Proctor’s text messages, are pivotal in shaping the public’s perception and the jury’s deliberations. With the defense now fully engaged in presenting its witnesses, the coming days will be critical in determining the ultimate fate of Karen Read.
Keep a close eye on the daily proceedings as more key witnesses take the stand and further details emerge.