Explosive Voicemails Unveiled in Karen Read’s Murder Trial Against Officer John O’Keefe

In a shocking turn during the ongoing murder trial of Karen Read, a series of voicemails directed to her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, have been played in court. One voicemail recorded shortly after she allegedly entered his home reflected intense emotions as Read stated emphatically, “John, I f—ing hate you.” This recording was made on the morning of O’Keefe’s death, following Read’s journey from the scene where he died.

The Massachusetts trial, which has captured attention since its inception, centers around allegations that Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV, subsequently leaving him to perish in a snowstorm. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan presented a succession of voice messages that Read reportedly left after authorities say she fatally hit him.

Startling Evidence Presented in Court

Massachusetts State Trooper Nicholas Guarino took the stand to dissect the timeline of events surrounding the incident. He reviewed text messages and phone calls exchanged between Read and O’Keefe from the evening of January 28, 2022, which continued into the morning hours before Read and two acquaintances found O’Keefe unresponsive.

Records indicate that at approximately 12:36 a.m. on January 29, the night of the incident, Read’s phone linked to the Wi-Fi at O’Keefe’s residence. Guarino noted that that morning alone, Read attempted to contact O’Keefe with over 50 phone calls, although she did not leave a voicemail each time.

The Voicemails: A Peek Into Her State of Mind

At 12:37 a.m., Read left her first voicemail for O’Keefe, the contents of which were played in court. “John, I f—ing hate you,” she declared, echoing her earlier recorded exclamations. Prosecutors allege that by this time, O’Keefe had already sustained grave injuries caused by a collision with Read’s Lexus SUV and lay abandoned as blizzard conditions intensified.

Just minutes later, at 12:41 a.m., she left a second voicemail, which Guarino suggested might have been an unintended call, often referred to as a “butt dial.” Her subsequent messages included text indications that she was leaving, stating, “I’m going home” and “see u later.” However, the credibility of these claims appears questionable upon further examination.

Increasing Panic Evident in Further Messages

At 12:59 a.m., Read’s third voicemail took on a more frantic tone as she stated, “John, I’m here with your f—ing kids, Nobody knows where the f— you are, you f—ing pervert.” O’Keefe had adopted his niece and nephew following tragic family events, further complicating the emotional backdrop of the case.

In a fourth voicemail recorded shortly after, which lasted just one second, no audible words were captured. Her fifth voicemail at 1:10 a.m. continued in the same accusatory vein, as she repeated, “Yeah, it’s 1 in the morning. I’m with your f—ing niece and nephew, you f—ing pervert.” The growing tension culminated at 1:17 a.m., when she blasted him for purported infidelity, exclaiming, “You’re a f—ing loser, go f— yourself.”

Defense Perspective: A Complex Narrative

Grace Edwards, a criminal defense attorney monitoring the proceedings, analyzed Read’s voicemails, arguing that they reveal a woman unaware of O’Keefe’s demise at the time of the calls. “They are of a hysterical girlfriend, frantic. She doesn’t know what happened,” Edwards noted, illustrating the complexity of Read’s emotional state.

At 5:23 a.m., Read left her seventh voicemail, shortly before arriving at the scene where she and two others discovered O’Keefe unresponsive outside his home. By 6:03 a.m., she had made an eighth attempt to reach him. David Gelman, another defense attorney, assessed the situation as revealing significant gaps in the prosecution’s case, suggesting a potential lack of culpability on Read’s part.

Investigative Procedures Under Scrutiny

Brennan introduced the voicemail recordings shortly after another day of intense cross-examination of former Canton Police Lieutenant Paul Gallagher. Read’s lead defense attorney, Alan Jackson, challenged Gallagher on the failure to follow standard investigative procedures immediately following the incident. This included not searching O’Keefe’s home or canvassing the neighborhood for security footage.

Pertinently, it was revealed that Gallagher approved the use of makeshift containers—red Solo cups—for collecting blood evidence at the scene. Yet, Gallagher conceded that he could not verify the chain of custody for this evidence. The lack of protocol raised eyebrows regarding the integrity of the investigation.

Complications from Weather Conditions

The trial has also featured expert testimony on the severe weather conditions at the time of O’Keefe’s death. Forensic meteorologist Robert Gilman testified about the unusual blizzard that struck the area between January 28 and 29, adding further complications to the scene’s dynamics. Additionally, Lt. Kevin O’Hara from the Massachusetts State Police detailed the delayed recovery of crucial evidence involving O’Keefe’s clothing and additional pieces of the vehicle’s taillight.

O’Hara’s account raised concerns over the investigative procedures, indicating that the scene was not secured upon his arrival, thus allowing for other officers to enter without following proper protocols.

The Road Ahead in the Legal Battle

Karen Read has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including murder, manslaughter, and fleeing the scene of an accident. If convicted, she faces the possibility of life imprisonment. As the trial progresses, both the prosecution and defense prepare to address not just the voicemails, but the intricate web of evidence and testimony that will ultimately shape the case’s outcome.