The Supreme Court won’t stop Karen Read’s retrial from going forward as she appeals to have two charges dropped — and the retrial is closing in, with 15 of 16 jurors selected. Here’s what happened at Norfolk Superior Court on Wednesday and what courtroom insider Sue O’Connell makes of the jury selection process and people who’ve been selected so far. Plus, a look at ATF agent Brian Higgins, one of the two people who the defense will be allowed to argue is culpable for John O’Keefe’s death through a third-party culprit defense — and expert Michael Coyne shares what that entails.
Jury selection continued for a seventh day on Wednesday in Karen Read's second murder trial, with just one more juror needed before opening statements can begin.
There were three new jurors selected Wednesday, bringing the total to 15, just one away from the 16 Judge Beverly Cannone wants seated before the trial moves foward.
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WATCH HERECannone began the day Wednesday by addressing the 58 jurors in the courtroom, giving them an overview of the case and asking them a series of questions about their ability to serve. They were then asked to fill out questionnaires with a broad range of questions.
An alternate juror in trial number one, Victoria George, is now helping the defense to select the jury. Chris Dearnborn, a former public defender and professor at Suffolk Law School, said she can bring unique insight to the defense team.
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SIGN UP ”There’s a perspective that person can bring to this case that is unparalleled. It’s like having somebody who sat on the first jury to tell you what worked, what wasn’t working," Dearborn said.
Read said she believes the process is on track for opening statements to begin next Tuesday.
She remained confident on her way out of court Tuesday. Asked how she felt, she said, "I feel good, always."
NBC10 Boston legal analyst Michael Coyne felt that the pace is about what he expected given the widespread publicity surrounding the case.
"This time around, it is clear that virtually everyone has heard about the case, and now the question is, can we make sure that whatever they know they can put that aside and rule on whatever is presented at the trial?" Coyne said.
Read's legal team asked the Supreme Court to delay the start of the trial after filing a petition to have two of her three charges dropped, continuing their double jeopardy argument, but the court declined Wednesday to stop the trial from getting underway.
Coyne is doubtful that appeal will go anywhere, since it's already been denied by multiple judges.
Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, by backing into him with her SUV at a Canton home during a snowy night in 2022. Her defense team alleges that the true killer is being covered for, and Read is being framed.
