Photo: James Rojas/WBZ NewsRadio
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — The Karen Read murder trial resumed Thursday for a third day of testimony after a court holiday on Wednesday.
Karen Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV in January of 2022, and then leaving him for dead in the snow. Read has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
O'Keefe's body was found outside of the home of a police officer in Canton. Read's lawyers argue that O'Keefe was dragged outside after a fight in the house and that Read is a victim of a police coverup.
On Tuesday, the jury heard from first responders who were on the scene when O'Keefe's body was found. On Monday, the jury also heard testimony from O'Keefe's brother and sister-in-law.
Read More: Second Day Of Read Trial Ends, Back In Session Thursday
Testimonies on Thursday finished around midday. The jury heard from multiple members of the Canton Fire Department who were on the scene when O'Keefe was found unconscious.
The firefighters' testimonies varied slightly when they described what Read said that night. Some remembered her saying "I hit him," while others testified they didn't recall that.
Firefighter and EMT Anthony Flematti said that night, Read repeated over and over that she hit her boyfriend, which matches other witness testimonies from Tuesday.
Another Canton Firefighter, Matthew Kelly, took to the stand, describing Read's behavior when he arrived at the scene. "She was just acting kind of erratic and running around screaming different things... [like] 'He's dead.'"
Firefighter Katie McLaughlin, like other witnesses, testified that Read repeatedly said, "I hit him."
However, Francis Walsh, also of the Canton Fire Department, said all he could remember Read saying was "Is he alive?"
During cross-examination, the defense questioned the accuracy of the first responders' memories since the event was over two years ago.
On Friday, jurors will hear the rest of McLaughlin's testimony, and then they will visit Boston Police Officer Brian Albert's house, which is where O'Keefe was found.
Last updated: 1:47 p.m.
Listen live to WBZ NewsRadio for the latest.
Follow WBZ NewsRadio: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | iHeartmedia App | TikTok