Readers Say

These are the most anticipated witnesses in the Karen Read retrial, according to readers

See the top three witnesses Boston.com readers say they're most anticipating for the retrial.

Karen Read enters the Norfolk Superior Court on the first day of the her retrial, on Tuesday, April 1, 2025. She is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, in 2022. (Suzanne Kreiter/Globe staff)

By Annie Jonas

April 1, 2025

3 minutes to read

Karen Read’s second trial officially began on Tuesday with jury selection, which could be a weekslong process. The retrial comes after Read’s first murder trial ended with a hung jury and a mistrial last July.

Jury selection for Karen Read’s retrial began Tuesday. It could take a while, legal experts say.

Read, 45, of Mansfield, pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The prosecution says she hit her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O’Keefe, with her car outside of a home in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022, after a night of drinking. Her defense team argues that Read is the victim of a cover-up scheme.

Last week, prosecutors and Read’s defense submitted their lists of potential witnesses – a total of 150 people – to take the stand in the second trial.

When we asked readers which witnesses they are most anticipating, the 75 responses were mixed: 36% of readers said they’re looking forward to hearing from both new and returning witnesses; 23% for just new witnesses; 25% for returning witnesses; and small percentages for neither (3%) or none (13%) of the witnesses.

Despite being mixed in their opinions about what witnesses they’re most looking out for, there were a few names who stood out, readers said. Below, readers weigh in on the top three witnesses they’re tuning in for during the retrial.

Responses have been lightly edited for grammar and clarity.

These are the most anticipated witnesses in the Karen Read retrial

Michael Proctor

Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor was the lead investigator of Read’s first trial. He was fired last month from the Massachusetts State Police after he admitted to sending inappropriate texts about Read during the investigation.

Proctor is listed as a potential witness for both the prosecution and the defense in the retrial.

Readers say: “I’m most anticipating Proctor, as they can go hard at him now that he is in a weaker space [after being fired]. There were a lot of missteps in this case, with most coming from the State Police investigators led by him.” – Paul B., Boston

The Alberts

Brian Albert during closing arguments at Norfolk Superior Court on June 25, 2024. *(Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)* *– Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool*

Colin Albert is cross examined by Alan Jackson on May 16, 2024. *(Photo by Pat Greenhouse/Globe Staff)*

John O’Keefe’s body was found outside the home of Boston Police officer Brian Albert. Read’s lawyers have argued that someone other than Read is responsible for killing O’Keefe. They allege three witnesses were to blame: Colin Albert; his uncle, Brian Albert; and another man, Brian Higgins.

However, Judge Beverly Cannone ruled on Monday that Read’s defense can’t try to pin Colin Albert as O’Keefe’s possible killer – but they can try to develop evidence of third-party culprits at trial.

The prosecution and the defense both listed seven members of the Albert family on their respective lists of potential witnesses for the retrial: Brian Albert, Brian Albert Jr., Caitlin Albert, Chris Albert, Colin Albert, Julie Albert, and Nicole Albert.

Readers say: “I’m eagerly anticipating seeing all of the Alberts take the stand as witnesses.” – Anonymous reader

Jennifer McCabe

Jennifer McCabe, a friend of O’Keefe’s and Brian Albert’s sister-in-law, previously testified that soon after O’Keefe’s body was found, Read screamed, “I hit him!” McCabe’s Google searches were hotly contested evidence in the first trial.

Read’s defense attorneys, like Alan Jackson, have pointed to a Jan. 29, 2022, Google search for “ho[w] long to die in cold” as a key piece of evidence in the case. Read’s lawyers say McCabe made the search at 2:27 a.m., hours before O’Keefe’s body was found on Albert’s lawn. McCabe previously testified that Read made her conduct the Google search.

McCabe is listed as a potential witness for both the prosecution and the defense in the retrial.

Readers say: “I think [defense attorney Alan] Jackson needs to cross examine Jennifer McCabe again.” – Trixie G., Holliston

Prosecutors and defense attorneys released their lists of potential witnesses for the Karen Read retrial. Are you most anticipating new or returning witnesses?

New

23%

Returning

25%

Both

36%

Neither - There's some(one) missing from the list

None - I'm not following the trial

13%

Boston.com occasionally interacts with readers by conducting informal polls and surveys. These results should be read as an unscientific gauge of readers’ opinion.