A timeline of the Karen Read case and the story behind the high-profile Massachusetts murder trial

Karen Learn was discovered not guilty of the most serious charges in her high-profile Massachusetts homicide retrial Wednesday. Of their fourth day of deliberations, jurors acquitted Learn of second-degree homicide and manslaughter within the loss of life of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. She was convicted of driving inebriated.

Learn’s first trial, which began in April 2024 at Norfolk Superior Courtroom in Dedham, ended months later in a mistrial as a consequence of a “starkly divided” hung jury. 

After months of extra pretrial hearings following the mistrial, jury choice in Learn’s second trial started on April 1, 2025. The jury bought the case and commenced deliberations on June 13, 2025.

Learn was accused of hitting O’Keefe along with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die. Protection attorneys argued she was the sufferer of an elaborate cover-up and was being framed by a gaggle of those who included legislation enforcement.

Here’s a take a look at the timeline of occasions within the Karen Learn investigation and trials.

January 29, 2022 – the evening John O’Keefe died

Shortly after midnight: Karen Learn, John O’Keefe and a gaggle of buddies went to the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton on the evening of January 28, 2022. In line with prosecutors, Learn consumed a number of alcoholic drinks. Learn drove O’Keefe to the house of Boston police officer Brian Albert. That’s the place police mentioned folks from the bar have been assembly again up. 

1 a.m.:  Courtroom paperwork later revealed that within the weeks earlier than and even the hours main as much as the evening out, textual content messages between Learn and O’Keefe in addition to voicemails confirmed a strained relationship. Investigators mentioned that round 1 a.m. on January 29, Learn allegedly left O’Keefe a voicemail that mentioned “…you’re a f—— loser, f— your self” and “John, I f—— hate you.”

4-5 a.m. – At 4:23 a.m. whereas heavy snow was falling, O’Keefe’s niece referred to as Jennifer McCabe, Brian Albert’s sister-in-law and a good friend of O’Keefe’s. She mentioned Learn was “distraught” as a result of O’Keefe had not come house and was not answering his cellphone. In line with courtroom paperwork, McCabe mentioned she heard Learn screaming “John did not come house. We had a battle.” Round 5 a.m. Learn referred to as one other girl whose husband was buddies with O’Keefe. Prosecutors alleged that Learn mentioned whereas they searched “What if he is useless? What if a plow hit him? … I do not bear in mind something from final evening, we drank a lot I do not bear in mind something.”

5:07 a.m. – Learn, McCabe, and the third girl went to search for O’Keefe. Prosecutors mentioned Learn talked about to the ladies that she had a crack in her tail gentle and questioned if she may have hit O’Keefe. At 5:07 a.m., a surveillance digital camera at O’Keefe’s home reveals Learn’s SUV coming “extraordinarily shut” to O’Keefe’s SUV within the driveway. Prosecutors say no tail gentle items have been discovered within the driveway. Learn’s protection argues the car did strike the SUV, breaking the tail gentle and offering a proof for injury to SUV.

6 a.m. – Round 6 a.m., Learn sees O’Keefe mendacity within the snow exterior Brian Albert’s house. An emergency responder mentioned that whereas hysterical and inconsolable, Learn repeatedly says “I hit him. I hit him.” The protection argues that one of many first responding officers from Canton police gave “false and misleading testimony” to the grand jury that will later indict Learn.

January 29, 2022 – Prosecutors and protection attorneys agree that in some unspecified time in the future the morning O’Keefe was killed, somebody googled “hos (sic) lengthy to die in chilly.” The perimeters disagree on when the search was made. Prosecutors say the search occurred at 6:23 a.m. and 6:24 a.m. after O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. The protection says a federal forensic skilled decided the search was made at 2:27 a.m., earlier than police have been alerted that O’Keefe’s physique had been discovered.

How did John O’Keefe die?

January 29, 2022 – Police say they discovered a damaged cocktail glass and items of tail gentle on the scene. A forensic toxicologist estimated that Learn’s blood alcohol content material (BAC) would have been round .13-.29 round 12:45 a.m., greater than the authorized restrict.

January 31, 2022 – An autopsy is completed on O’Keefe. Prosecutors mentioned the health worker dominated the reason for loss of life was blunt impression accidents to the pinnacle and hypothermia. They are saying the health worker didn’t discover “any apparent indicators of an altercation or a battle.”

Karen Learn arrested

February 2, 2022 – Learn appears in Stoughton District Court for the primary time, pleading not responsible to manslaughter, motorcar murder, and leaving the scene of a motorcar collision inflicting loss of life.

June 10, 2022 – A Norfolk County grand jury indicts Karen Read on expenses of second-degree homicide, manslaughter whereas working inebriated, and leaving the scene of non-public damage and loss of life. Learn is arraigned on the brand new expenses in O’Keefe’s loss of life. She pleaded not responsible in Norfolk Superior Courtroom in Dedham and was ordered held on $100,000 bail. Learn made bail and was launched.

Karen Learn’s protection claims she was framed

Might 3, 2023 – Protection attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti allege that O’Keefe was concerned in a battle inside Brian Albert’s house. They declare O’Keefe was crushed and his physique was later dumped exterior. Jackson and Yannetti targeted on wounds to O’Keefe’s arms, which they mentioned confirmed he was attacked by Albert’s dog through the battle.

“This isn’t simply fishing,” Jackson mentioned through the Might 3 listening to. “We have got a fish on the hook, we simply want the courtroom to assist us reel it in.” Norfolk Assistant District Lawyer Adam Lally argued that O’Keefe by no means went within the house and added “There is no such thing as a proof that Mr. O’Keefe was crushed and left for for useless.”

Might 24, 2023 – Throughout a pretrial hearing, Learn’s attorneys laid out what they allege to be a cover-up by legislation enforcement. 

“Actually the Massachusetts State Police is concerned. There are those who have been in that home which can be concerned,” Jackson mentioned. “Brian Albert is concerned. Jennifer McCabe is concerned. The remainder of the parents that have been in that home, there’s some stage of involvement by each one among them. Each single one among them. We’re not going to relaxation till we unravel precisely who’s behind this cover-up. Not solely Karen Learn deserves this. John O’Keefe deserves this, and has deserved this from second one. And that is why they are not going to relaxation.”

Following the dramatic listening to, Learn spoke to reporters for the primary time. 

“We all know who did it. We all know. And we all know who spearheaded this cover-up. You all know,” Learn mentioned on the courthouse steps. “I attempted to save lots of his life. I attempted to save lots of his life at 6 within the morning, I used to be lined in his blood. I used to be the one one making an attempt to save lots of his life.”

Courtroom battles over proof

August 1, 2023 – Decide Beverly Cannone denied a prosecution request for a gag order within the case. The Norfolk District Lawyer’s workplace had requested for the gag order saying witnesses have been being harassed. Yannetti countered by saying it was prosecutors who’re “controlling the narrative.”

August 25, 2023 – Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey released a video statement slamming what he described as “completely baseless” harassment of witnesses within the case. 

“Conspiracy theories are usually not proof,” Morrissey mentioned. “The concept a number of police departments, EMTs, Fireplace personnel, the health worker, and the prosecuting company are joined in, or taken in by, an enormous conspiracy needs to be seen for what it’s – utterly opposite to the proof and a determined try to re-assign guilt.”

Why was “Turtleboy” arrested?

October 11, 2023 – Aidan Kearney, the blogger who operates the location “Turtleboy Information,” was arrested on charges of witness intimidation associated to the Karen Learn case. Kearney had been overlaying the case for months, typically recording himself confronting witnesses. His protection lawyer instructed the choose that Kearney was exercising his First Modification proper.

December 26, 2023 – A choose revoked Kearney’s bail amid new assault and battery expenses. Kearney allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s house, demanded to see her cellphone, then shoved her throughout a confrontation. Kearney remained in jail for almost two months however was later launched on private recognizance.

Proof below scrutiny

February 22, 2024 – In courtroom filings, prosecutors mentioned they’ve DNA evidence recovered from a damaged tail gentle that implicates Learn in O’Keefe’s loss of life. They mentioned the tail gentle is identical materials from Learn’s SUV, and that the DNA matched O’Keefe’s. In addition they mentioned damaged tail gentle materials was discovered on O’Keefe’s clothes.

March 12, 2024 – Learn’s protection crew mentioned {that a} federal investigation into the case led to an FBI skilled concluding that proof doesn’t help the idea that O’Keefe died after being hit by an SUV. 

“The injury on the automotive was inconsistent with having made contact with John O’Keefe’s physique. In different phrases, the automotive did not hit him, and he wasn’t hit by the automotive,” Jackson mentioned. Prosecutors disagreed, accusing Learn’s lawyer of “protection by obfuscation.”

March 13, 2024 – In a quick assertion, Massachusetts State Police mentioned they’ve opened an inside investigation into “a possible violation of division coverage” by Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator within the case. Police didn’t say what prompted the investigation, however mentioned he stays on full obligation. Learn’s protection attorneys mentioned the federal investigation confirmed Proctor hid private ties to folks concerned within the case. In an announcement, Proctor’s lawyer Michael DiStefano denied any wrongdoing.

“Trooper Proctor has been totally cooperative in responding to the investigations carried out by the US Lawyer’s Workplace and the Massachusetts State Police Inner Affairs Unit,” DiStefano mentioned. “To be clear, Trooper Proctor stays steadfast within the integrity of the work he carried out investigating the loss of life of Mr. John O’Keefe. To the extent that Trooper Proctor’s private textual content messages are alluded to in courtroom proceedings relating to Ms. Learn, he respectfully submits that the target investigative steps he and members of his unit took are by no means undermined by the content material of the non-public messages.”

Karen Learn homicide trial takes middle stage

March 26, 2024 – Decide Cannone denied a protection motion to dismiss the case. Cannone mentioned she was denying the movement as a consequence of “in depth proof supporting the indictments.”

April 12, 2024 – Through the final pretrial hearing within the case, Cannone heard 30 totally different motions on which she needed to rule, listening to arguments from each side on a lot of them. 

Amongst them was an argument by Learn’s attorneys that they need to have the ability to make a third-party perpetrator protection through the trial. They are saying Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins, all of whom have been current on the social gathering John O’Keefe was on the evening he died, may have killed O’Keefe. 

Prosecutor Lally referred to as it a “fanciful story,” however instructed the choose “there’s truly no precise proof.”

Jury choice begins

April 16, 2024 – Karen Learn’s second-degree homicide trial started with jury selection. A complete of 4 jurors have been added on the primary day.

April 17, 2024 – Jury choice continued for a second day, with seven extra jurors added. 

April 17, 2024 – A 3rd day of jury selection wrapped with out a full jury seated. Two extra jurors have been added, however one from a earlier day was excused, bringing the whole variety of jurors seated to this point to 12. 

April 24, 2024 – A jury was seated on the fifth day of jury choice over the course greater than per week. The trial is scheduled to final 6-8 weeks as soon as a jury is seated.

Testimony underway

April 29, 2024 – Opening statments and testimony bought underway with the first witnesses referred to as. John O’Keefe’s brother Paul and his spouse Erin have been the primary two on the stand. Canton police officer Steve Saraf additionally started his testimony. Prosecutors confirmed video from Saraf’s dashboard digital camera as he arrived on scene.

April 30, 2024 – A Canton paramedic who handled John O’Keefe the day he died testified that he heard a girl saying “I hit him, I hit him.” Learn’s protection crew argued that the person’s testimony has modified over time.

Might 2, 2024 – 4 paramedics and firefighters testified about what they heard Learn say the morning O’Keefe’s physique was discovered.

Might 6, 2024 – Jurors heard the 911 calls from the day O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. Police who responded to the scene testified as effectively on the fifth day of testimony.

Might 7, 2024 – A number of Canton law enforcement officials testified about their dealing with of the crime scene. Amongst them was Sgt. Michael Lank, who Learn’s protection crew argued had personal connections to the house the place John O’Keefe’s physique was present in 2022.

Might 10, 2024 – There was a pause within the trial as Decide Cannone heard arguments about whether or not Aidan Kearney, who publishes as “Turtleboy” for his website, TB Every day Information, needs to be allowed within the courtroom. He’s dealing with expenses of witness intimidation involving folks within the Learn case. The choose dominated that Kearney should go away the courtroom when sure witnesses take the stand.

Additionally that day, retired Boston police officer Brian Albert took the stand. He owned the house the place O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. Albert testified that O’Keefe and Learn by no means entered his house the evening of the incident. 

Might 14, 2024 – A lady who was at Brian Albert’s Fairview Street house the evening O’Keefe died mentioned she noticed a “black blob” within the garden as she was leaving. The protection referred to as it a “made-up story.”

Might 15, 2024 – Allie McCabe, a prosecution witness, broke down in tears on the stand describing harassment within the case. Colin Albert, who the protection claims may have been concerned in a battle that killed O’Keefe, was additionally referred to as as a witness.

Might 16, 2024 – Colin Albert finished his testimony with cross-examination that targeted on what protection attorneys declare is a historical past of violent conduct. 

Might 17, 2024 – Jennifer McCabe, a key witness within the case, took the stand. She was with Learn the morning O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. McCabe testified that Learn requested her to Google how lengthy it will take somebody to die within the chilly. Protection attorneys argue the search truly occurred earlier than O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. Courtroom ended for the day earlier than Learn’s attorneys started to cross-examine McCabe.

Might 21, 2024 – Jennifer McCabe was back on the stand, this time for a number of hours of contentious cross-examination by Alan Jackson. Today marked the primary time Kearney’s “Turtleboy” website has been immediately referenced. 

Jennifer McCabe mentioned protection lawyer Alan Jackson had put the knowledge out on social media, however Jackson mentioned he had not. “I am sorry. Turtleboy did,” the witness responded. Earlier within the day, Jennifer McCabe referred to Kearney as “some named blogger that I believe the protection could be very acquainted with.”

Might 24, 2024 – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Brian Higgins was on the stand. Prosecutors offered “flirty” text messages he and Learn shared within the weeks main as much as O’Keefe’s loss of life. Protection attorneys have mentioned Higgins is one among three males they declare may have been answerable for killing O’Keefe throughout a battle.

Might 28, 2024 – Brian Higgins accomplished his testimony. Different witnesses have been referred to as, together with O’Keefe’s niece and nephew. They testified a couple of strained relationship between Learn and O’Keefe. 

June 3, 2024 – Testimony targeted on broken taillight pieces that have been discovered on the scene of O’Keefe’s loss of life.

June 5, 2024 – A number of videos were performed that prosecutors say present Learn consuming quite a few cocktails within the hours earlier than O’Keefe died. In addition they targeted on what they are saying was a damaged taillight in Learn’s SUV. 

June 6, 2024 – Protection lawyer Alan Jackson instructed reporters that Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who Learn’s attorneys have tried to point out may have planted proof to assist buddies who’re witnesses within the case, will take the stand as a witness for the prosecution. There had been uncertainty when and the way Proctor would testify, as he’s listed on the protection and prosecution’s witness lists. Proctor is presently below investigation by Massachusetts State Police for his conduct within the case, although the precise motive isn’t recognized and he has denied wrongdoing. It’s not but recognized when Proctor will take the stand.

The identical day as Jackson’s feedback, Decide Beverly Cannone instructed jurors “I can safely say that you’ll get this case in your deliberation someday within the final week in June.”

June 10, 2024 – Cannone heard arguments from each side with out the jury current concerning the prosecution’s motion to exclude testimony from a witness who is predicted to testify that scratches on O’Keefe’s arm have been in step with accidents from a canine assault. 

Trooper Proctor additionally took the stand that day, studying derogatory textual content messages he despatched to buddies and colleagues about Learn whereas investigating the case.

June 12, 2024 – Proctor accomplished tense cross-examination and stepped down from the witness stand. Throughout his testimony, Proctor was grilled over a textual content message he despatched about Learn saying “hopefully she kills herself.”

June 14, 2024 – Testimony targeted on Read’s SUV traveling in reverse the evening of O’Keefe’s loss of life, in addition to the time of when Jennifer McCabe search on Google how lengthy it will take an individual to die within the chilly.

June 20, 2024 – Prosecutors performed angry voicemails that Learn left for O’Keefe not lengthy after prosecutors say she hit and killed him.

Karen Learn homicide trial ends, deliberations start

June 21, 2024 – The prosecution rested its case and protection attorneys started calling witnesses. 

June 24, 2024 – The protection rested its case after calling its closing three witnesses. 

June 25, 2024 – Attorneys offered closing arguments and jurors started deliberating.

June 26, 2024 – Day two of juror deliberations ended without a verdict after about seven hours. Whereas jurors deliberated, Learn’s attorneys query the decision slip, resulting in a tense moment with Judge Beverly Cannone.

June 28, 2024 – Jurors sent a note to Judge Cannone, telling her they’re deadlocked. The choose responded that she didn’t imagine that they had deliberated lengthy sufficient, and requested them to proceed making an attempt to achieve a verdict. 

Mistrial declared in Karen Learn homicide trial

July 1, 2024 – The jury despatched one other notice to Decide Cannone, for a second time telling her they’re unable to achieve a unanimous verdict. The jury mentioned they’re “deeply divided,” and Cannone requested them to return for one closing spherical of deliberations. Later within the day, a mistrial was declared as a result of hung jury.

July 1, 2024 – Hours after the mistrial was declared, Massachusetts State Police introduced that Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator within the case, has been “relieved of duty.”

July 3, 2024 – In an exclusive interview with WBZ-TV, John O’Keefe’s brother addressed the mistrial.

Fallout from the Karen Learn trial

July 8, 2024 – Learn’s protection attorneys filed a motion to dismiss for 2 expenses. Within the submitting, they declare the jury unanimously agreed that Learn was not responsible on these counts whereas being deadlocked on a 3rd cost.

July 8, 2024 – Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor was suspended without pay following an obligation listening to.

July 9, 2024 – The union for Massachuestts State Police troopers responded to the suspension, calling it “disappointing.”

July 9, 2024 – The Board of Selectmen introduced that Canton police officer Kevin Albert was placed on go away associated to Proctor’s testimony through the trial. 

July 10, 2024 – In a brand new courtroom submitting, Learn’s attorneys say another juror instructed them there was a unanimous settlement that Learn was not responsible on two counts.

July 12, 2024 – Prosecutors fired back on the protection’s try to get two of the three expenses towards Learn dismissed, saying she consented to the mistrial.

July 18, 2024 –  An unnamed juror within the case mentioned in a court filing that they worry for his or her security. 

July 22, 2024 – An nameless juror tells WBZ-TV that the jury didn’t know how to communicate to the choose that that they had unanimously agreed to acquit Learn of two expenses. Decide Cannone sets a new trial date for Jan. 27, 2025.  

August 9, 2024 – The case returned to courtroom for a dismissal hearing because the protection tried to persuade the choose to throw out two expenses towards Learn. Decide Beverly Cannone took arguments into consideration, however didn’t make a ruling.

August 23, 2024 – Decide Cannone rejects Karen Learn’s try to get two of the fees towards her dismissed. Learn’s attorneys plan to attraction.

September 11, 2024 – Karen Learn’s authorized crew files an appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Courtroom.

September 12, 2024 – Canton police officer Kevin Albert, the brother of Brian Albert, is back on the job after being positioned on go away through the trial.

September 18, 2024 – Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey appoints Special Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan to guide the Commonwealth’s retrial of Karen Learn. 

September 20, 2024 – Karen Learn’s attraction of two expenses might be heard by the full panel of Massachusetts’ highest courtroom, however it may delay her trial.

September 23, 2024 – Self-discipline was introduced for 2 folks linked to the Karen Learn investigation. Canton Police detective Kevin Albert was suspended with out pay for 3 eight-hour shifts. An investigation discovered that the detective, whose brother Brian Albert owned the house the place John O’Keefe’s physique was discovered, behaved in a manner that was unbecoming of a police officer and violated division insurance policies about alcohol consumption or possession on the job.

Massachusetts State Police introduced the identical day that Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, who was one of many lead investigators within the case, forfeited five vacation days following an inside affairs investigation. Bukhenik was in one of many group chats wherein Trooper Michael Proctor despatched the inappropriate textual content messages.

October 17, 2024 – Massachusetts State Police say they spent $258,278.94 on safety for Karen Learn’s first trial.

October 18, 2024 – Prosecutors seek phone records from Karen Learn’s father. When her second trial begins, prosecutors plan to name William Learn as a witness.

October 18, 2024 – Detective Lieutenant Brian Tully, the topic of an ongoing inside affairs investigation, was transferred out of the Norfolk County District Lawyer’s Workplace. Tully testified throughout Learn’s first trial.

October 28, 2024 – Legal professionals for Karen Learn desire a wrongful death lawsuit against her to be delayed till after her second legal trial, a difficulty they argued earlier than Decide William White, Jr. in Plymouth Superior Courtroom in Brockton.

October 29, 2024 – Vainness Honest releases the first part of its extremely anticipated Karen Learn interview. She instructed the journal she owes a minimum of $5 million in authorized charges.

October 30, 2024 – The second part of Vainness Honest’s interview with Karen Learn is launched. She responds to criticism from the O’Keefe household, together with immediately responding to quotes from Paul O’Keefe’s interview with WBZ-TV in July.

November 1, 2024 – The choose overseeing the wrongful loss of life lawsuit towards Karen Learn rules that she won’t must be deposed within the civil case till after her second legal trial is over. 

Preparations for Karen Learn’s second trial

November 4, 2024 – The prosecution and protection groups filed a movement in courtroom calling for Learn’s second legal trial, scheduled to start out on Jan. 27, 2025, to be postponed till April 1, 2025. 

November 6, 2024 – Learn’s try to get some legal expenses towards her thrown out on the grounds of double jeopardy got here earlier than the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. Attorneys for each side made their case through the listening to. No resolution has been introduced but.

November 7, 2024 – The Norfolk County District Lawyer’s Workplace requests the unredacted audio recordings, notes, and texts between Karen Learn and a Boston Journal reporter.

November 26, 2024 – Throughout an evidentiary hearing, prosecutors requested the choose to permit them to acquire cellphone information for Karen Learn’s dad and mom. The protection referred to as the request a “fishing expedition.” Decide Beverly Cannone didn’t rule on the request and took arguments below advisement.

November 29, 2024 – Decide Cannone rejects the prosecution’s request for the cellphone information of Karen Learn’s dad and mom.

December 3, 2024 – Prosecutors are asking Decide Cannone to maintain skilled testimony about an alleged canine assault out of Karen Learn’s second trial.

December 5, 2024 – Decide Beverly Cannone approved a request from prosecutors to get entry to unedited and off-the-record recordings from interviews with Karen Learn and her household.

December 9, 2024 – After simply over a month, Decide Cannone approved the joint motion by the protection and prosecution to delay the beginning of Karen Learn’s second trial.

December 30, 2024 – Former Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, who alerted Massachusetts State Police to taillight proof through the investigation, died.

January 2, 2025 – Prosecutors requested to exclude testimony from protection skilled Richard Inexperienced surrounding Jen McCabe’s “ho[w] lengthy to die in chilly” Google search.

January 6, 2025 – In line with a courtroom submitting, Trooper Michael Proctor has a misconduct hearing scheduled for January 15.

January 15, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor’s misconduct hearing got underway at Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham.

January 23, 2025 – Karen Learn’s authorized crew desires the state to pay for journey bills for one among her protection specialists. Learn’s attorneys say that the Canton Police Division didn’t protect video footage, however that was not disclosed. Consequently, they are saying their skilled wasted his time.

January 29, 2025 – John O’Keefe’s household provided a statement to WBZ-TV as they marked three years since his loss of life. “It has been 3 years since Johnny was senselessly taken from us. The void in our lives grows with every passing day, week, month and 12 months. His absence is profound and we’ll proceed to hunt justice for him. He’s at all times in our hearts,” the O’Keefe household mentioned.

February 6, 2025 – A hearing was held within the case as attorneys mentioned potential proof for Learn’s second trial and who ought to must pay for a protection skilled who says he was unsuccessfully in a position to analyze video from the Canton Police Division. Following the listening to, the choose dominated towards the protection’s request to have the state pay for the skilled.

February 10, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor was again at Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham for the second day of testimony in his trial board hearing to find out his skilled future. The listening to was not open to the general public. A 3rd listening to day was scheduled for March 13. 

February 11, 2025 – The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Courtroom denied Read’s appeal as she sought to have a number of the expenses towards her dismissed.

February 12, 2025 – Amongst over a dozen new filings within the case was a request by the protection for unredacted paperwork from the investigation into the loss of life of Sandra Birchmore.

February 18, 2025 – Decide Cannone abruptly halted a listening to within the case after the prosecution raised considerations about protection attorneys’ conversations with a crash reconstruction skilled employed by the federal authorities.

February 20, 2025 – Decide Cannone issues a scheduling order that reads, partially, “Counsel needs to be ready to deal with points associated to the Defendant’s latest manufacturing pursuant to Rule 14, particularly because the supplies produced relate to prior representations made to the courtroom on the document by protection counsel in regards to the ARCCA witnesses.”

February 24, 2025 – An individual briefed on the state of affairs tells WBZ it’s expected to be announced at Karen Learn’s February 25 listening to {that a} federal investigation into the loss of life of John O’Keefe – and by affiliation, Karen Learn’s case – has ended and that no expenses might be filed.

February 25, 2025 – At a tense listening to, Karen Learn’s attorneys defended their communications with a witness within the first trial. Karen Learn’s protection alleges “misdirections” by prosecution. 

February 25, 2025 – Following the listening to, supporters greeted Read with flowers exterior the courtroom on her forty fifth birthday.

February 28, 2025 – Karen Learn’s protection information a motion to dismiss her complete case for causes of “extraordinary governmental misconduct.”

March 4, 2025 – Particular prosecutor Hank Brennan confirmed in courtroom that the federal investigation into John O’Keefe’s death is over. Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty later issued an announcement saying the federal probe “is now not lively and might be closed.”

March 5, 2025 – The case was the subject of two hearings in separate courthouses. Karen Learn appealed a latest resolution by the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Courtroom at federal courtroom in South Boston. Learn and her attorneys then headed to Norfolk Superior Courtroom in Dedham the place her protection argued its just lately filed Movement to Dismiss.

March 13, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor returned earlier than a Massachusetts State Police trial board for a third day. Proctor’s household additionally launched an announcement, accusing Learn’s protection crew of utilizing the trooper to “deflect from the overwhelming proof.”

March 13, 2025 – A federal judge denied Learn’s request to drop two expenses towards her, saying Decide Cannone was not flawed in declaring a mistrial. 

March 18, 2025 – Decide Cannone admonished the protection crew on Tuesday for “repeated misrepresentations” to the courtroom. Regardless of the strict warning, Cannone didn’t take away any attorneys from the case.

March 19, 2025 – Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in Learn’s case, was fired by Massachusetts State Police.

March 20, 2025 – For the primary time, Learn and Aidan Kearney, the blogger who writes below the title “Turtleboy” appeared during a hearing together. Prosecutors are in search of messages between the 2, which Learn and her attorneys object to.

March 21, 2025 – Karen Learn’s attorneys requested a federal choose to delay the beginning of her subsequent trial, after the request was rejected the day earlier than by Decide Beverly Cannone. The federal choose denied Learn’s request.

March 24, 2025 – Prosecutors are seeking messages between Karen Learn and her protection lawyer David Yannetti within the days following O’Keefe’s loss of life.

March 25, 2025 – As anticipated, Decide Beverly Cannone rejected the request for textual content messages between Learn and Yannetti through the closing pretrial listening to. Cannone additionally mentioned she expects jury choice to take a “very very long time.”

March 25, 2025 – Decide Cannone denied Karen Read’s motion to dismiss your complete case towards her, setting the stage for her second high-profile trial to get underway.

March 26, 2025 – Karen Learn added a former juror from her first trial to her authorized crew.  

March 27, 2025 – Karen Learn’s movement to remain state courtroom proceedings pending attraction is denied by First Circuit Courtroom of Appeals. The courtroom affirmed the decrease federal courtroom’s resolution. 

March 31, 2025 – The protection won’t be allowed in charge Colin Albert for John O’Keefe’s loss of life, Decide Beverly Cannone ruled.  

Karen Learn’s second trial begins

April 1, 2025 – Karen Learn’s second trial formally bought underway with jury selection.

April 2, 2025 – The jury for Karen Learn’s second trial reached seven members. Learn’s supporters additionally filed a lawsuit in federal courtroom, arguing {that a} courtroom mandated buffer zone violates their constitutional rights. 

April 3, 2025 – Ten jurors have been seated after three days of jury choice. 

April 3, 2025 – Karen Learn has appealed her case to the very best courtroom potential, the U.S. Supreme Courtroom.

April 7, 2025 – Karen Learn is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to delay her state trial whereas they resolve if they are going to take up her attraction.

April 9, 2025 – Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Supreme Courtroom denied Karen Read’s request to pause her trial. The Supreme Courtroom will evaluate whether or not to take the case on April 25. Fifteen jurors have been seated for the trial.

April 13, 2025 – A federal choose ruled against Learn’s supporters who wished to have the ability to protest nearer to the courthouse forward of her second trial, saying the buffer zone doesn’t violate their constitutional rights.

April 15, 2025 – A jury was seated for Karen Learn’s second trial, with opening statements scheduled to happen in per week.  

April 16, 2025 – The final motion hearing earlier than the beginning of the trial was held. Arguments have been heard over matters that included federal ARCCA witnesses. Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney additionally mentioned by way of his lawyer that he would plead the Fifth Modification if referred to as as a witness, and prosecutors agreed to not name him.

April 22, 2025 – Attorneys gave opening statements because the trial formally bought underway. The primary two witnesses have been additionally referred to as.

April 23, 2025 – John O’Keefe’s mom, Peggy O’Keefe, took the stand. It was the primary time she has spoken out publicly since her son’s loss of life.

April 24, 2025 – Textual content messages between Karen Learn and John O’Keefe within the hours main as much as his loss of life have been read on the third day of trial. 

April 25, 2025 – Jurors visited Brian Albert’s former home at 34 Fairview Street in Canton. The courtroom additionally heard from two witnesses: a paramedic who took Learn to the hospital the day that O’Keefe was discovered useless, and a health care provider who examined her blood alcohol stage that morning.

April 28, 2025 – America Supreme Courtroom announced that it’ll not hear Karen Learn’s attraction on grounds of double jeopardy.

April 28, 2025 – A half day of witness testimony targeted on Jen McCabe’s “how lengthy to die in chilly” Google search and John O’Keefe’s actions the evening of his loss of life. Then protection crash reconstruction specialists have been questioned with out the jury current.

April 29, 2025 – Key witness Jen McCabe began her testimony. Decide Beverly Cannone issued a stern warning for protection attorneys, however allowed upcoming testimony from protection crash reconstruction specialists.

April 30, 2025 – Jen McCabe was again on the stand for hours of tense cross-examination through the seventh day of witness testimony.

Might 2, 2025 – Witness Jen McCabe finishes testimony after heated trade with Learn’s protection lawyer. 

Might 5, 2025 – Canton firefighter-paramedic Katie McLaughlin testified that she heard Learn repeatedly say “I hit him” after O’Keefe’s physique was discovered. Retired Canton Police Lt. Paul Gallagher testifies about responding to the scene, utilizing a leaf blower to maneuver snow.

Might 6, 2025 – A number of witnesses took the stand on the tenth day of testimony. Jurors heard several angry voicemails that Karen Learn left for John O’Keefe within the early morning hours on January 29, 2022. 

Might 7, 2025 – Forensic skilled Jessica Hyde, who analyzed Jennifer McCabe’s Google search, and State Police trooper Connor Keefe testify. 

Might 8, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik took the stand to testify about evidence collection and the function of his former colleague Michael Proctor.

Might 9, 2025 – Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik read text messages between Brian Higgins and Karen Learn.

Might 12, 2025 – After three full days on the witness stand, Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik concluded his testimony. 

Might 13, 2025 – Courtroom was canceled for the day unexpectedly simply earlier than proceedings have been scheduled to start as a result of Karen Read was sick.

Might 14, 2025 – Jurors hear from John O’Keefe’s niece, and crime scene technicians. 

Might 15, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police forensic scientist Maureen Hartnett and medical examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello testify.

Might 16, 2025 – Witness testimony from two Massachusetts State Police crime lab analysts, and a message from the choose to jurors about how they conduct themselves in courtroom. 

Might 19, 2025 – A forensic analyst for the prosecution testified concerning the actions of Karen Learn’s Lexus SUV on the evening in query.

Might 20, 2025 – Karen Learn’s lawyer questions forensic analyst Shanon Burgess’ timeline of the night John O’Keefe died.

Might 21, 2025 – Decide Beverly Cannone delayed the start of testimony, saying she needed to query jurors individually after a difficulty was delivered to her consideration.

Might 27, 2025 – Judson Welcher, a prosecution accident reconstruction skilled, took the stand for direct questioning.

Might 28, 2025 – Protection begins cross examination of crash reconstruction skilled Judson Welcher.

Might 29, 2025 – The prosecution rested its case after Judson Welcher completed his testimony.

Might 30, 2025 – The first witness called by defense lawyer Alan Jackson was Matthew DiSogra, a digital forensics skilled who focuses on automotive knowledge and crash reconstruction.

June 2, 2025 – Former Canton police officer Kelly Dever, Dr. Marie Russell, and a good friend of former state police trooper Michael Proctor have been referred to as to the stand by Karen Learn’s protection crew.

June 3, 2025 – Throughout a second day of questioning of canine chunk skilled Dr. Marie Russell, the protection called for a mistrial with prejudice, however was denied. A Dighton police officer additionally testified about how he remembered seeing injury to Learn’s taillight in comparison with how it’s pictured hours later within the Canton Police Division storage.

June 4, 2025 – Snowplow driver Brian “Fortunate” Loughran testified about not seeing a physique on Fairview Street in Canton on the evening O’Keefe died. Loughran was cross-examined about how Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney’s protection may have influenced his testimony.

June 5, 2025 – Jurors have been given the day off due to warmth. The choose mentioned followers and air con models would create noise and make witnesses exhausting to listen to.

June 6, 2025 – The one witness on the stand all day was Daniel Wolfe, a crash reconstructionist for engineering consulting agency ARCCA.

June 9, 2025 – The protection’s request for a mistrial was denied. Attorneys had accused the prosecution of a “stunt” when Hank Brennan requested Wolfe about holes in O’Keefe’s sweatshirt, and if they may have been brought on by a fall backwards. Brennan later admitted he made a mistake, and the choose later gave jurors an instruction that the holes have been brought on by a criminologist. 

June 10, 2025 – The previous health worker for Rhode Island testified, adopted by Dr. Andrew Rentschler, who’s the ultimate protection witness. 

June 11, 2025 – Karen Learn’s defense rested its case after Rentschler completed testifying that in his opinion, John O’Keefe was not hit by a car.

June 12, 2025 – The final hearing before closing arguments was held as attorneys and the choose met with out jurors current. The protection mentioned it won’t be pursuing a third-party perpetrator argument towards Brian Albert and Brian Higgins, however might be specializing in the dearth of a police investigation into Higgins.

June 13, 2025 – Each side offered drastically totally different closing arguments about how John O’Keefe died and what function Karen Learn performed in his loss of life. Jury deliberations started a short while later.

June 16, 2025 – Jurors had their first full day of deliberations, however didn’t attain a verdict.

June 17, 2025 – On the second full day of deliberations, the Karen Learn jury got here again with four questions for the choose. Certainly one of them sought readability on what occurs if they comply with not responsible on two expenses however are held on the third cost. Jurors later have been dismissed for the day with out a verdict.

Verdict reached in Karen Learn trial

June 18, 2025 – Of their fourth day of deliberations, jurors acquitted Read of second-degree homicide, manslaughter whereas working below the affect and leaving the scene of an accident leading to loss of life. She was convicted of driving inebriated. Decide Cannone sentenced Learn to at least one 12 months probation.

June 18, 2025 – A number of key prosecution witnesses who’re buddies with the O’Keefe household issued an announcement, calling the decision a “devastating miscarriage of justice.”

June 19, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble mentioned in a statement that within the aftermath of the Karen Learn case, the division will proceed to work on enhancements in oversight and accountability.

June 19, 2025 – District Lawyer Michael Morrissey issued his first statement on the decision, saying to WBZ-TV solely, “The jury has spoken.”

June 19, 2025 – A juror in the trial speaks out about their resolution to acquit Learn of probably the most severe expenses. 

June 23, 2025 – Particular prosecutor Hank Brennan points his first statement because the trial ended. He was “disenchanted” within the verdict and condemned “witness abuse.”

June 24, 2025 – Karen Learn’s lead lawyer, Alan Jackson, responds to Brennan’s remarks, accusing the prosecutor of moral violations.

June 29, 2025 – Karen Learn and Alan Jackson are reportedly engaged on a film script and book.

July 7, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police reassign Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik from Norfolk County to an administrative function within the South Boston barracks. 

July 10, 2025 – Karen Learn filed a motion seeking to dismiss the civil lawsuit filed towards her by the O’Keefe household.

July 10, 2025 – Boston police commissioner responds to Officer Kelly Dever’s testimony in Karen Learn trial.

July 10, 2025 – Information obtained by I-Workforce present particular prosecutor Hank Brennan was paid $566,000 for Learn’s retrial.