Special Assistant District Attorney Hank Brennan kicked off Karen Read’s retrial with opening statements centered around the state’s timeline of the evening John O’Keefe was found dead outside a fellow police officer’s home after a night of drinking on Jan. 29, 2022.
In a dramatic retelling, Brennan described the moments leading up to and immediately following when Read allegedly struck O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV during a drunken argument after a night of partying.
“We are here today because John O’Keefe was killed by the actions and conduct by that defendant, Karen Read,” Brennan told the jury.
Brennan went on to describe O’Keefe as a “family man,” and despite not having biological children he stepped up to help his sister with her two young children after their father died.
Brennan told the jury that Read and O’Keefe met during the pandemic, with the pair eventually spiraling into a contentious relationship marred by Read’s alleged jealous behavior. On the night of O’Keefe’s death, the couple enjoyed a night of drinking at local bars before eventually meeting up with a group of friends.
Citing cell phone data, prosecutors were able to retrace the steps of O’Keefe leading up to his death using information from health and navigation apps. Shortly after his final moments, Brennan revealed Read left several emotionally-charged voicemails on his cell phone, alleging this was the moment she began covering up O’Keefe’s murder.
Source: Fox News