Protesters angry over Karen Read, Sandra Birchmore cases gather at Massachusetts State House
BOSTON – More than 100 protesters gathered in front of the Massachusetts State House Thursday to protest the prosecution of Karen Read, as well as what they believe is police corruption in a number of other cases.
Shirts read "Free Karen Read," and signs expressed support and dismay over the deaths of John O'Keefe, Sandra Birchmore, and Enrique Delgado-Garcia. Signs called for Governor Maura Healey, Attorney General Andrea Campbell, and other state lawmakers to step in and intervene in Norfolk County.
Special prosecutor appointed in Read case
This event was already planned, but fell one day after Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced he had appointed a special prosecutor to try Karen Read in her second trial, scheduled for January. Hank Brennan, a private defense attorney who represented Whitey Bulger in 2013, will lead a team of three other lawyers from the DA's office in the case.
Karen Read's supporters, who believe she is being framed in the death of her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, are criticizing Morrissey for his choice of special prosecutor formerly associated with a "mobster."
"Look at some of the people he represented," said Paul Cristoforo, who organized the rally Thursday. When asked if he had any confidence the DA's office is working to correct the so-called corruption it's been accused of by hiring a third-party prosecutor for the case, Cristoforo said, "No, it doesn't. This doesn't even touch on the corruption."
Karen Read facetimed into the rally to greet supporters, many of whom yelled "we love you, Karen" as the phone was passed around. She was seated at a table with her defense attorneys – David Yannetti, Alan Jackson and Eliza Little, who are back in Massachusetts from Los Angeles to work on preparing for Read's second trial.
Karen Read's brother thanks supporters
Karen Read's brother Nathan attended the rally in person to thank supporters. "My entire family is extremely touched," he told the crowd.
Nathan Read also told WBZ that Karen and his family are undeterred by the appointment of a special prosecutor.
"Not terribly surprising," he said. "I think certainly for round two we are going to have to change some things up. We expected that. We were not caught off guard by it. I think from our lens, the facts are on our side. We are very confident in that."
Read's second trial – following a mistrial due to a hung jury – is scheduled for January 27, 2025.
