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STOUGHTON, Mass. (WBZNewsRadio) - The man behind the local publication 'Turtleboy' has been arrested on multiple charges including witness intimidation and conspiracy.
Special Prosecutor Ken Mello told WBZ NewsRadio, Aidan Kearney was arrested at his home early Wednesday morning. He was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on charges of intimidating a witness, juror, police or court official and one count of conspiracy.
Leading up to his arrest, Kearney had been heavily involved in the coverage of the case of Karen Read and the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O'Keefe, claiming politicians, law enforcement, and others are involved in a cover up. Read is charged with second-degree murder and pleaded not guilty in May. The trial is set for March 2024.
Prosecutors have repeatedly denied any conspiracy or cover up in the investigation into O'Keefe's death.
Special prosecutors cited some of the so-called "Canton Coverup" coverage Kearney has been posting, including some 179 articles on his website. Investigators allege Kearney hoped his reporting would influence the future-jury for Read's trial. He also allegedly shared the phone number of the lead investigator and his wife, which only led to their harassment.
Outside the courthouse Wednesday, Kearney said he has the First Amendment right to continue covering the case.
“I’m here right now because I’m exposing corruption," said Kearney. "I’m exposing what really happened to John O’Keefe and the powerful, well-connected people who murdered him and covered up his murder."
“Ultimately justice will prevail and truth will prevail and they will never shut me up," said Kearney. "They will never, ever, ever stop me from reporting the truth about what happened to John O’Keefe.”
Kearney has been ordered to stay away from those he's accused of intimidating, as well as the lead investigator on the Karen Read case.
WBZ’s Kim Tunnicliffe (@KimWBZ) reports.
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