A new witness took the stand on May 8 in the murder trial of Karen Read, following a contentious exchange between defense attorneys and an expert regarding the timing of a crucial Google search. Read, 45, is facing accusations of intentionally striking her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her Lexus SUV, leaving him in a life-threatening condition outside a colleague’s residence in January 2022. Prosecutors assert that Read acted out of a drunken rage.
Testimony from Jennifer McCabe, a friend of both Read and O’Keefe, revealed that she conducted a Google search on the day O’Keefe was discovered, asking how long it takes to die in the cold. A digital forensics examiner, Jessica Hyde, testified that the search occurred after O’Keefe was found unconscious, countering defense claims that the search took place beforehand. The final search on McCabe’s phone was made at 6:24 a.m., coinciding closely with the time O’Keefe was discovered around 6 a.m.
The ongoing trial, held in Dedham, Massachusetts, has drawn significant public interest and has been a source of inspiration for various true-crime podcasts, movies, and television programs. This case has already seen a hung jury in a previous trial in 2024. As of April 23, the trial was expected to last six to eight weeks, with recent court sessions reportedly on track or slightly ahead of schedule.
Hyde’s testimony clarified that McCabe’s interests at the time included searches for sporting events and a music video, with her last search being “how long to die in cold,” which was misspelled. The defense has been critically analyzing the inconsistencies in the testimonies provided by experts in an effort to undermine the prosecution’s narrative.
CourtTV is actively covering the Read trial, providing live feeds of the proceedings, which start at 9 a.m. ET.
This case exemplifies the complexities of the legal system and the crucial role that digital evidence plays in modern criminal trials. It also highlights the widespread fascination with true-crime stories, as the public remains engaged with the unfolding drama in the courtroom.