Witness list, key evidence debated in final days before Karen Read murder trial opening statements
DEDHAM - A jury has been selected, and opening statements are scheduled to start soon in the Karen Read murder trial. But first, the judge heard arguments Thursday on several key motions that have yet to be decided in the case.
Read is accused of hitting and killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV on a snowy night in Canton.
Latest developments in Karen Read case
On Wednesday, the court finished the jury selection process. Nineteen jurors were picked, though they have yet to be sworn in. Attorneys say the plan is to have 12 regular jurors and four alternates for the trial, but it's not clear yet how the court will pare down the number of jurors.
It also appears proceedings will move to another courtroom in the building. The defense says jurors won't be able to see witnesses' faces from the jury box during testimony.
While Judge Beverly Cannone has said the current courtroom setup does not violate Read's right to due process, both sides agreed that the trial will likely begin in a smaller courtroom where only Read's family, O'Keefe's family and the media will be able to watch.
"It's been hell. It's been 26, 27 months of hell," Karen's father William Read said outside court Thursday. "My daughter is factually innocent. She's being framed."
Judge decides more motions in Karen Read case
There are many motions still before the judge in the case, including what evidence can be used during trial. Judge Cannone decided on some of them Thursday.
A piece of DNA, hair allegedly found on Karen Read's bumper, will be admitted to evidence.
Read will not be allowed to accompany jurors on a visit to the Canton crime scene, the judge ruled, citing security concerns.
The judge will allow prosecutors to play audio, but not video, of Read at the Milton State Police barracks, where she tells the booking officer "we're all in on the same joke, right?"
There was also debate Thursday about whether Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey, who appears on the defense's witness list, will have to testify. The defense says Morrissey inserted himself into the case personally with a video condemning witness harassment. The judge said it's an issue they can revisit later if the defense still plans to call the DA to the stand.
Read's attorney, David Yannetti, said they want to Morrissey to take the stand to question the integrity of the investigation. Judge Cannone asked why they could not do that through other witnesses. "We can but the buck stops with District Attorney Michael Morrissey," Yannetti said.
Another issue that the judge will wait to decide on is whether Read's blood alcohol content from the morning after O'Keefe's death can be used as evidence.
When will the Karen Read trial start?
Opening statements are set to start on Monday, April 29 inside Dedham's Norfolk Superior Court.
With 87 potential witnesses on the prosecution list and 77 for the defense, the trial is expected to last six to eight weeks once it gets underway.