Federal Judge Assigned to Karen Read Civil Case Amid Controversy

URGENT UPDATE: A civil complaint filed by Karen Read against several defendants has just been transferred to U.S. District Court in Boston, with Chief Judge Denise J. Casper assigned to oversee the case. This development comes as Read alleges that the defendants killed her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and then framed her for his murder, sparking significant public interest.

The case was removed from Bristol Superior Court following a request by attorney Jim Tuxbury, representing the defendants, including Brian and Nicole Albert and Jennifer and Matthew McCabe. The request underscores the contentious nature of the proceedings, with Tuxbury claiming that the federal court is the appropriate venue due to allegations of violations of Read’s Fourth Amendment rights under the U.S. Constitution.

Read’s civil suit follows her tumultuous legal journey, which includes two trials regarding O’Keefe’s death on January 29, 2022. Prosecutors initially accused Read of backing her SUV into O’Keefe, leaving him to die in the cold. However, her defense maintains that O’Keefe was murdered inside the Alberts’ home, and that his body was later dragged outside to fabricate the circumstances of his death.

In a striking connection to this case, Judge Casper is notably known for sentencing notorious mobster James “Whitey” Bulger to two life terms plus five years in November 2013. During that sentencing, she remarked on the “callousness” of Bulger’s crimes, a sentiment that may echo in the current proceedings as the court navigates serious allegations of misconduct.

Tuxbury’s motion highlights that Read’s civil complaint is a “malicious attempt” to evade responsibility for O’Keefe’s death, asserting that it represents an abuse of the judicial process. He argues that the defendants played a role in a conspiracy to frame Read, which he plans to thoroughly contest in court.

The emotional stakes are high as Read, now 45 years old, has faced public condemnation and legal peril for nearly four years. She was acquitted of all charges related to O’Keefe’s death after a lengthy legal battle, though she was convicted on a separate drunk driving charge.

Read’s civil complaint states, “For three and a half years, Plaintiff Karen Read was wrongly accused of homicide,” emphasizing the trauma and scrutiny she has endured. The upcoming federal proceedings are expected to delve deeper into the allegations of misconduct by the Massachusetts State Police and the individuals involved in O’Keefe’s death.

As this case unfolds, the implications stretch beyond the courtroom, touching on issues of justice, public perception, and the integrity of law enforcement. Observers are urged to stay tuned for further developments as the new federal case begins to take shape.

This civil case is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for all parties involved, and its outcomes could have lasting consequences for those accused and the broader community. What happens next remains to be seen, but the pressing nature of these allegations ensures that the public will be closely watching.