BOSTON — Karen Read, charged in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, is pushing to postpone a wrongful death lawsuit against her until her criminal proceedings conclude. The civil suit, initiated by O’Keefe’s family last month, alleges that Read’s actions, coupled with alleged negligence by local bars, led to his death.
The legal request filed by Read’s attorneys seeks to stay the trial, arguing that proceeding with the civil case could undermine her Fifth Amendment rights during her ongoing criminal trial. This comes after a mistrial declared in July due to a deadlocked jury, with a retrial scheduled for January 27.
The lawsuit accuses several establishments of serving Read excessive alcohol on the night of January 28, 2022, when O’Keefe died during a snowstorm after being struck by Read’s SUV. It claims one bar served her seven drinks in about 90 minutes and further charged that she entered another bar with a drink in hand, where she was then served additional alcohol.
In contrast, attorneys for O’Keefe’s brother, Paul, and other relatives argue against the delay. They claim Read has been actively shaping public perception by speaking out about the case, thus foregoing her rights to silence protected under the Fifth Amendment. Attorney Marc Diller emphasized that Read has sought to influence the potential jury pool by controlling her narrative through public statements and media appearances.
In her criminal case, Read is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence. These charges were brought forth after O’Keefe’s body was discovered in the front yard of a Canton home, where he suffered fatal injuries from blunt force trauma and hypothermia.
The unfolding narrative paints a complex picture, with Read’s defense suggesting O’Keefe’s death occurred within the home they visited and proposing that others present might have used her as a scapegoat. This theory posits that Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College and seen as an outsider, was an easy target for blame.
Additional details emerge in the civil lawsuit, alleging that before discovering O’Keefe’s body, Read and O’Keefe had been arguing and that she knew she had hit him with her SUV. Moreover, the lawsuit describes an incident where Read supposedly woke O’Keefe’s 14-year-old niece in the middle of the night, claiming an accident had occurred involving him potentially being struck by her vehicle or a snow plow.
This case opens several legal battles, with significant implications both in the criminal and civil realms. It not only explores the intricate relationship between individual actions and broader accountability but also highlights the crucial roles of establishments in monitoring and controlling alcohol consumption.
As the January retrial approaches, all parties brace for more disclosures and legal maneuvering, which will undoubtedly shed more light on the tragic events leading to the untimely death of Officer John O’Keefe. The outcome of these proceedings will likely resonate beyond the courtroom, influencing future legal interpretations of personal responsibility and negligence.