Lawyers for Karen Read push for release of letters between DA and feds

A lawyer for Karen Read on Thursday pushed to unseal communication between the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office and federal authorities, alleging that the letters portray the DA as the target of a federal investigation. 

Prosecutors previously filed a motion to seal several letters between Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey’s office and federal officials, who are reportedly probing the state’s investigation in the Read case. However, lawyers for the Mansfield woman want the letters made publicly accessible.

Speaking in court Thursday, defense attorney David Yannetti alleged that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts confirmed the existence of an ongoing federal investigation while speaking with the defense and prosecutors the day prior.

“It is clear from those letters that District Attorney Morrissey is well aware that he’s the target of a federal investigation as a result of his conduct in this case,” Yannetti argued. “Those letters prove that he knew. He knew that, even before the U.S. Attorney ever confirmed that there even was an investigation.” 

Yannetti also suggested that federal authorities may soon release information from their investigation to the defense and prosecution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office previously declined to publicly confirm or deny the existence of a federal investigation into the Read case.

“In connection with this matter, at no time has the U.S. Attorney’s Office named any person or entity as a target of an investigation, to anyone,” the office said in an emailed statement Thursday.

The Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office likewise offered a sharp rebuttal.

“No part of the communication with the office of the United States Attorney yesterday, or at any point, has indicated that the Norfolk District Attorney or any member of this office is the target of the federal investigation,” the DA’s office said in an emailed statement. “Mr. Yannetti misrepresented that completely.” 

Joshua Levy, acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Massachusetts, wrote a letter to Judge Beverly Cannone last week to say his office does not object to the letters’ disclosure. Cannone took the matter under advisement. 

According to Yannetti, the communication between the DA’s office and federal authorities is “powerful evidence” that will support a separate defense motion for sanctions against Morrissey, as well as a request to disqualify his office from continuing to prosecute Read’s controversial case. Yannetti did not argue that motion Thursday, nor did he argue another pending motion to dismiss the case against Read. 

The 43-year-old is accused of backing her SUV into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, and leaving him for dead after a night out with friends in January 2022. Prosecutors say Read left O’Keefe to die in the snow outside a fellow Boston police officer’s home in Canton, but Read’s lawyers have pointed the finger at other afterparty guests, alleging a widespread coverup.

Read pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury and death.

Also on the docket for Thursday’s hearing was a motion from prosecutors seeking notes and recordings from interviews Read gave to Boston magazine for an article in September.

Robert Bertsche, a lawyer for the magazine and journalist Gretchen Voss, noted that the news outlet is willing to turn over some materials from on-the-record interviews. However, he expressed concern about notes from an off-the-record, non-recorded interview between Voss and Read.

“We’re not saying the commonwealth is overreaching, and we’re not saying that the commonwealth is in bad faith,” Bertsche told the court. “But we are saying that the commonwealth is asking for too much.” 

Read is due back in court on Feb. 15.

Abby Patkin

Staff Writer

Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between.

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