Legal battle erupts over expert witness testimony in Karen Read case

DEDHAM, Mass. (WLNE) — One week after Judge Beverly Cannone in Karen Read’s case said she had ‘grave concern’ over new information provided by prosecutors, Read was back in the courtroom Tuesday for another pre-trial hearing.

Those ‘grave concerns’ initially seemed to stem from prosecutors suggesting Read’s team paid witnesses in the first trial, but more in focus Tuesday was whether key documents were provided to prosecutors.

Defense Attorney Robert Alessi said Special Counsel Hank Brennan made at least five misstatements during his presentation at the last hearing.

“There was no prize, rewards, or inducements or payments before all of those documents the commonwealth is referring to here,” Alessi said.

Brennan said the defense misrepresented the ARCCA witnesses as independent and uncompensated. Additionally, he said all of the information turned over this month was not provided before the first trial.

Read is accused of hitting her Boston cop boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her SUV outside a Canton home back in 2022 and leaving him to die in a snowstorm following a night of drinking at two bars.

WCVB reported the federal investigation into the Read case is over with no charges filed against police.

The next hearing is set for next Tuesday at 9 a.m.

The retrial is set for April 1.