Latest news with #FreeKarenRead
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Why the Karen Read murder trial caused such a frenzy
Hundreds of people wearing pink outfits waited with bated breath outside a Massachusetts court on Wednesday to hear the verdict in the Karen Read trial. As Ms Read was found not guilty of murdering her Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe in January 2022, they erupted in cheers. A fervent TikTok following and multiple documentaries fuelled the obsession with the true-crime cause celebre. Some saw the case as the result of a flawed criminal justice system. Other trial-watchers, especially women, said they saw themselves in the accused. Outside court, Ms Read's supporters were often conspicuous by their pink attire - her favourite colour. Each time she came in and out of the building, her adoring fans would extend their index, little finger and thumb - American Sign Language for "I love you". Ms Read and her attorneys would do the same. Beyond the call to "Free Karen Read" - a slogan many supporters pressed into T-shirts or daubed on signs - those in the crowd seemed to relate to her. "It could be me," Patti Lima, who decided to start coming to court last week, told CBS, the BBC's US news partner. "I would have done everything she did. Exact same thing." Robin Burns, another woman in the crowd, told CBS she brought both her daughters for parts of the two trials. Ms Burns said: "I really believe there's a lot of corruption here and I believe it runs deep. And I've got three girls, and this could be one of my kids." The first proceedings against Ms Read collapsed in July 2024 after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. The prosecution said Ms Read ran over Mr O'Keefe and left him to die in a snowbank outside his colleague's house following a night of drinking. Ms Read argued she was framed by the police for murder. The frenzy stems from Ms Read's circumstances, Shira Diner, a Boston University law lecturer, told the BBC. "The public doesn't have a lot of opportunity to see white women of means being charged with serious crimes and be put through the criminal legal process," she said. Statistically, as few as 10% of homicide offenders in the US are female, according to FBI data. But Prof Diner said there is a more important reason why people are fascinated with the case - because Ms Read has "created a narrative and a story around herself and around her experience that is really impactful and really effective". Unlike many who face murder charges in the US, Ms Read - a financial analyst - was able to post $50,000 (£37,000) bail to stay out of custody while her trial proceeded. "Most people who are charged with second-degree murder are held on a very high bail, and so while their trial is pending, they can't do 60 Minutes [a CBS show] interviews and they can't talk to their fans," Prof Diner said. "They can't engage with a narrative in the way she has been able to do, because she was able to post her bail." Eric Schiffer, a public relations expert and CEO of Reputation Management Consultants, told the BBC that Ms Read's story "blends every dopamine trigger - small-town cops, alleged cover-up, influencer sleuths". He noted that her father had thanked "content providers" after her not-guilty verdict, underlining the role that social media, as well as documentarians and podcast hosts, have had on how his daughter was perceived in the public eye. "This case proves crisis messaging today isn't about press releases - it's about Reddit flair mods and who controls the subreddit sidebar narrative," said Mr Schiffer, referring to the popular social media forum where a subreddit named JusticeforKarenRead amassed nearly 20,000 members. As the verdict in the second trial was read on Tuesday, screams from the crowd outside could be heard in court. And when Ms Read walked out a free woman, she thanked the cheering throng for their years of support. "I just want to say two things," she said. "Number one is I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially, and more importantly emotionally for almost four years. "The second thing I want to say is no-one has fought harder for justice for John O'Keefe than I have, than I have and my team." The O'Keefe family left court without comment. Karen Read found not guilty of murder of her police officer boyfriend What to know about Karen Read's second murder trial
BBC News
3 days ago
- BBC News
Karen Read acquitted: Why her murder trial caused such a frenzy
Hundreds of people wearing pink outfits waited with bated breath outside a Massachusetts court on Wednesday to hear the verdict in the Karen Read Ms Read was found not guilty of murdering her Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe in January 2022, They erupted in jubilant cheers.A fervent TikTok following and multiple documentaries fuelled the obsession surrounding the true-crime saw the trial against Ms Read as an example of a flawed criminal justice system. Other trial-watchers, especially women, said they saw themselves in the accused. Outside court, Ms Read's supporters were often conspicuous by their pink attire - her favourite colour. Each time she came in and out of the building, her adoring fans would extend their index, little finger and thumb - American Sign Language for "I love you". Ms Read and her attorneys would do the same. Beyond the call to "Free Karen Read" - words many supporters have pressed into T-shirts or painted on signs - those in the crowd seemed to relate to her. "It could be me," said Patti Lima, who decided to start coming to court last week. "I would have done everything she did. Exact same thing."Robin Burns, another women in the crowd, said she brought both her daughters for parts of the two trials. The first proceedings against Ms Read for Mr O'Keefe's death collapsed in July 2024 after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. Ms Read argued she was framed by police. Ms Burns said: "I really believe there's a lot of corruption here and I believe it runs deep. And I've got three girls, and this could be one of my kids."The frenzy stems from Ms Read's circumstances, Shira Diner, a Boston University law lecturer, told the BBC. "The public doesn't have a lot of opportunity to see white women of means being charged with serious crimes and be put through the criminal legal process," she said. Statistically, as few as 10% of homicide offenders in the US are female, according to FBI Prof Diner said there is a more important reason why people are fascinated with the case - because Ms Read has "created a narrative and a story around herself and around her experience that is really impactful and really effective". Unlike many who face murder charges in the US, Ms Read - a financial analyst - was able to post $50,000 (£37,000) bail to stay out of custody while her trial proceeded."Most people who are charged with second-degree murder are held on a very high bail, and so while their trial is pending, while the case is pending, they can't do 60-Minute interviews and they can't talk to their fans," Prof Diner said. "They can't engage with a narrative in the way she has been able to do, because she was able to post her bail." Eric Schiffer, a public relations expert, told the BBC that Ms Read's story "blends every dopamine trigger - small-town cops, alleged cover-up, influencer sleuths". He noted that her father had thanked "content providers" after her not guilty verdict, underlining the role that ordinary people online, as well as documentarians and podcast hosts, have had on how his daughter was perceived in the public eye."This case proves crisis messaging today isn't about press releases - it's about Reddit flair mods and who controls the subreddit sidebar narrative," said Mr Schiffer, referring to the popular social media forum where a subreddit named JusticeforKarenRead amassed nearly 20,000 O'Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow outside a colleague's suburban home and later pronounced dead. As the verdict in the second trial was read on Tuesday, screams from the crowd outside could be heard in court. And when Ms Read walked out a free woman, the throng erupted in cheers and signed "I love you" in ASL, and she thanked them for their years of support."I just want to say two things," she said. "Number one is I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially, and more importantly emotionally for almost four years."The second thing I want to say is no-one has fought harder for justice for John O'Keefe than I have, than I have and my team. "
CBS News
4 days ago
- CBS News
Awaiting verdict in Karen Read trial, John O'Keefe supporter says "no winners and losers"
Suspense and anticipation are growing outside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts after another day with no verdict in the Karen Read murder trial. Read is accused of hitting and killing her Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe with her SUV in 2022. In the massive sea of "Free Karen Read" supporters wearing pink outside the courthouse, Lance Humble flew in from Arizona wearing a gray sweatshirt with O'Keefe's police badge number. "Everybody is looking for closure" "I think it's been traumatic for everybody," said Humble. "I think everybody is looking for closure and I think everybody is looking to finally heal." But the jury's questions to the judge on Tuesday left both sides wondering if closure is coming. One of their questions to the judge asked what to do if they can't agree on one of the charges Read is facing. Supporters of Karen Read gesture as Read departs Norfolk Superior Court for the day during jury deliberations at her trial, Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. Charles Krupa / AP Otherwise, the concern is going through déjà vu from the last trial, ending in a hung jury. "Honestly feeling like it's a bit of a round two all over again," said Caitlin, a Karen Read supporter. "I'm feeling the anxiety today, a little nervous but we are here for the long run," said Stephanie Pratt, a Read supporter. "We believe in the power of justice whichever way that goes." "This isn't a sporting event" And in all of the tension and waiting, a reminder from O'Keefe's supporters about who lost their life that January day in 2022. A photograph of John O'Keefe is projected during the trial of Karen Read on May 5, 2025. Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images "Hopefully everyone keeps the main thing the main thing, and that's John and that he lost his life and to me that's the most important thing here," Humble said. "There's no winners and losers in any of this. This isn't a sporting event. This is a good man who lost his life." This has been an emotionally exhausting process for everyone involved. Read's supporters say they are prepared to be outside the courthouse for as long as it takes. Supporters for John O'Keefe pray to see justice.
CBS News
5 days ago
- CBS News
Crowd grows outside Karen Read trial as people travel from across the country to await verdict
As Karen Read awaits a verdict in her second murder trial, the movement proclaiming her innocence has grown, with hundreds showing up outside the courthouse in Massachusetts. On Tuesday, the second day that the jury deliberated, people crowded the sidewalks in Dedham and lawn chairs filled the lawns outside of Norfolk Superior Court. There were grandparents and mothers with children, dogs wearing pink bandanas, American flags, and even a tray of pink cupcakes. People travel to courthouse for Karen Read trial After watching the first trial from her home in Florida, Plymouth native Rita Guilford came to the courthouse for the first time on Monday. "Praying for the verdict," Guilford said, "We were going to come on Friday, and I didn't want to miss the closing arguments." She was joined by new friends, three first-timers, and Sally King, another Plymouth native who says she attended some of the last trial. "I think that we're all here for Karen, but I think more so for justice for John, too," King said. The second trial has tapped into a common thread, beyond the utter conviction by the "Free Karen Read" movement that Karen is innocent. "It could be me. I would have done everything she did. Exact same thing," said Patti Lima, who decided to start coming to the courthouse on Friday. The prosecution has maintained that Karen Read was drunk when she backed her car into O'Keefe during a snowstorm in 2022, killing the Boston cop. Many "Free Karen Read" activists say they believe in the defense's suggestion that there was a conspiracy to kill O'Keefe that did not involve Karen. "I really believe there's a lot of corruption here and I believe it runs deep. And I've got three girls, and this could be one of my kids," said Robin Burns, who brought both of her daughters to court for some of the first and second trials. Karen Read's fame growing As the second trial has drawn on, Karen Read's notoriety has grown. Nice says her nine-year-old daughter took a picture with Karen's mother and wished her father a Happy Father's Day. Throughout it all, John O'Keefe's family has remained somewhat private. His brother, Paul O'Keefe, told WBZ-TV's Kristina Rex after the conclusion of the last trial that it feels like his brother has been forgotten. "She knows exactly what she did. And she's trying to buy and lie her way out of this, refusing to take accountability for her actions," O'Keefe said last July. But if you ask some people who are outside the courtside wearing pink, they will tell you that it is not true. Sally King argues that their movement is not only measured by Karen's image. "It's about freeing Karen Read and it's about justice for John O'Keefe," Samantha Benigno said.
CBS News
10-05-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Karen Read protesters' buffer zone is valid but lower court should revisit ruling, appeals judges say
A panel of appeals judges have vacated, but not reversed, an order finding that the Karen Read trial buffer zone for protesters is valid and constitutional. The appeals court is now sending the case back to district court to revisit the buffer zone to see if the rules an be tailored in a way that allows peaceful protests. Appeals court: Buffer zone should be revisited A group of "Free Karen Read" supporters sued Judge Beverly Cannone and the State Police in federal court in April, arguing that a court-ordered buffer zone violates their First Amendment free speech rights. A federal court ruled against them, saying the buffer zone did not violate their rights. The federal judge sided with the court, meaning protesters will have to stay hundreds of feet from the courthouse. In the ruling, the judge said the buffer zone is "content neutral, narrowly tailored to serve a significant government interest and leaves open ample channels for communication." The group of "Free Karen Read" supporters then appealed the decision. In their appeal, they said they aren't challenging the ban on protest on courthouse property. They also said they don't plan to demonstrate on the pathways where trial participants enter and exit. They seek to demonstrate on public sidewalks that are "quintessential public forums for free speech." The appeals court said since the "Free Karen Read" supporters clarified their view, the denial of an injunction against the buffer zone should be revisited. Who is Karen Read? Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV outside the home of his fellow police officer in Canton back in January 2022 and leaving him to die in the snow, where his body was found hours later. Read's attorneys claim she is the victim of an elaborate coverup and that O'Keefe may have been killed inside the home during a fight and his body later dumped in the snow outside. Read's first trial ended in a hung jury. Her second trial is now underway.
