Karen Read Reveals Pouring Extra Shots On the Night of Boyfriend’s Tragic Death

Karen Read Reveals Pouring Extra Shots On the Night of Boyfriend’s Tragic Death

On the night her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, died, Karen Read took matters into her own hands when she experienced what she described as a ‘weak pour’ at a local bar. In a captivating 2024 documentary for Investigation Discovery, Read discussed adding extra shots to her drinks. This revelation surfaced during her retrial for the murder of O’Keefe, intensifying an already complex legal narrative.

A Night of Weak Drinks

In a candid account, Read expressed her dissatisfaction with the vodka tonic she ordered at McCarthy’s, a popular bar in Canton. “The drinks that they were pouring me was the weakest vodka tonic,” she stated during the documentary. “It tasted just like all soda water with lime.” Although not needing a martini, she remarked that a splash of vodka would have been appreciated.

As she told the story, she relayed her frustration to O’Keefe. He suggested she order an additional shot and incorporate it into her drink herself. This led to what she described as each drink being counted as a double. “So, I would get a vodka tonic, and then I would pour a shot into it,” she recalled.

Details of the Night Unfold

Read detailed her experiences at McCarthy’s on January 28, 2022, claiming that most of the alcohol she consumed that night happened in that bar. According to her, weak drinks compelled her to take matters into her own hands by pouring multiple shots into her glass. “My vodka soda tasted just like all soda water with lime,” she reiterated.

During the 2024 interview, Read described a session where several shots were ordered by the men she was with. Although she initially did not want one of the shots, she eventually mixed it into her drink. “So that’s now my fifth and sixth drinks, with the seventh, which is a shot that all the men did, and I poured it. So, that’s one glass that I’m holding,” she elaborated, adding that her concoction contained three drinks in total.

Text Message Tensions

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan introduced a series of text messages exchanged between Read and O’Keefe the day he died. Massachusetts State Trooper Nicholas Guarino read aloud from these texts, which chronicled their conversations throughout the day. The tone of these messages shifted from a morning filled with frustration over their relationship to discussions about their plans for the evening.

In one significant exchange, shortly after Read attempted to reach O’Keefe via phone only to be sent to voicemail, she texted him, “Can you pls answer??” His response was dismissive: “No Karen. Not sure why you need to announce that you’re grabbing a drink but have fun.” This exchange portrays a tense relationship, contributing to the atmosphere surrounding that fateful night.

Relationship Dynamics and Implications

The texts revealed further layers of complexity to their relationship, suggesting O’Keefe had personal issues weighing on him. He was reportedly preoccupied with caring for his niece and nephew after the recent deaths of his sister and brother-in-law. In a text, he candidly mentioned, “He has practice,” while discussing his family obligations, providing context for his emotional state.

After multiple unanswered calls from Read, O’Keefe finally rang her back moments before 3 PM. In her pursuit to spend time with him, she suggested meeting at a location away from his home to give him some ‘space’. This back-and-forth indicated an urgency on Read’s part to reconnect, further complicated by O’Keefe’s disinterest in immediate social plans.

Conversations and Late Night Plans

As the evening approached, the intensity of their exchanges heightened. At around 3:39 PM, O’Keefe texted Read, “You’re like jonesing to drink. So go!” This comment underscores a perception that Read may have been eager to socialize and drink, yet suggests a broader discord in their relationship.

Despite their disagreements, Read aimed to stay connected with O’Keefe. She desired to meet in public rather than at his home, which indicates her wish to avoid any confrontations between them. Their conversational exchanges increasingly focused on their respective emotional states, and they discussed plans that fluctuated between alternative locations for drinks or being together.

The Aftermath and Expert Perspectives

As the trial unfolds, experts are closely analyzing Read’s alcohol consumption on the night of O’Keefe’s death. Some legal analysts warn that highlighting her drinking could backfire in court. Linda Kenney Baden, a defense attorney known for representing high-profile clients, stated that the prosecution’s strategy could backfire. The portrayal of their relationship seemed typical rather than indicative of malice.

Additionally, Baden noted that the text messages revealed a jealous side of O’Keefe, drawing attention to complexities that suggest a troubled yet ordinary relationship. This points to the potential for jurors to sympathize with Read rather than view her actions as premeditated.

Defense Strategy Emerging

The defense team has implied that O’Keefe may have suffered injuries not related to Read’s alleged actions but rather from a possible altercation with another individual attending the same party. Read’s mention of home repairs suggests an inability to sustain a collision directly. This alternative narrative may influence the jury’s perspective as they consider the circumstances surrounding O’Keefe’s death.

As Judge Beverly Cannone adjourned the session, the jurors prepared for an upcoming visit to the crime scene, an excursion expected to garner additional insights in the ongoing testimony.

A Story of Love, Tragedy, and Questions

The case of Karen Read and John O’Keefe continues to unfold, embodying the intertwining issues of love, conflict, and tragedy. As investigations proceed, the quest for truth remains at the forefront, capturing both legal experts’ and the public’s attention. The forthcoming days in court promise to continue revealing layers of complexity surrounding the intense emotions shared between them on that fateful night.