Karen Read's retrial starts amid accusations of police conspiracy

In Massachusetts, Karen Read's retrial for the murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, commenced. The case stems from the events of January 28, 2022, when Read and O'Keefe attended social gatherings and returned to a home after a night of drinking. Prosecutors allege that Read struck O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a heated argument and left him to die in the snow outside the house party. He was discovered deceased the following morning, with evidence suggesting severe head trauma and hypothermia as contributing factors to his death. Initially indicted on second-degree murder charges among others, Read pleaded not guilty, claiming she was scapegoated while asserting that O'Keefe had been involved in a physical altercation with fellow officers. During her first trial, a mistrial was declared due to a deadlocked jury, as some jurors believed she was not guilty of the primary charges. This mistrial led to significant media attention and public interest in Read's plight, as she portrayed herself as a victim of a broader conspiracy involving law enforcement. As the retrial unfolded, Judge Beverly Cannone issued key rulings that would impact the defense's strategy. She granted access to surveillance video while limiting witness testimonies related to dog bites. The defense seeks to prove that O'Keefe's injuries might have been due to external factors rather than a vehicular strike, thus positioning Read's story against allegations of reckless conduct. The prosecution, meanwhile, aims to emphasize the theme of