Woman accused of leaving police officer boyfriend for dead in snowbank still intoxicated

In January 2022, the world was shocked by the tragic events that unfolded after a night of drinking in Boston. Karen Read, accused of leaving her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, for dead in a snowbank, has been at the center of a highly publicized trial.

During the trial, a former state police toxicologist, Nicholas Roberts, testified that Karen Read was still legally intoxicated or close to it approximately eight hours after the incident. He revealed that her blood alcohol content at 9 a.m. was calculated to be between .078% and .083%. This revelation has raised questions about her state of mind during the events that transpired that evening.

Conflicting Testimonies

Multiple witnesses have provided conflicting testimonies regarding Karen Read's behavior on the night of the incident. Some claimed she frantically asked, “Did I hit him?” before O’Keefe was found, while others alleged that she admitted to hitting him after the fact. Furthermore, testimonies regarding the couple's relationship have painted a complex picture, with mentions of frequent arguments and an attempt to end the relationship by O’Keefe.

Amidst the trial, Karen Read's defense has been allowed to present third-party culprit evidence, suggesting that investigators may have unfairly focused on Read. They argue that she was a "convenient outsider" and that other potential suspects, including the owner of the house where O’Keefe died and a federal agent present that night, should have been considered.

Suspicious Actions

A federal agent, Brian Higgins, who had exchanged flirtatious texts with Read prior to O’Keefe’s death, has come under scrutiny for his actions. Higgins admitted to extracting and discarding these messages before disposing of his phone during the murder investigation. The timing of these actions has been questioned, with Read's lawyer insinuating that crucial evidence may have been destroyed intentionally. As the trial unfolds, the public remains captivated by the twists and turns of the case, eagerly awaiting the resolution of this tragic and mysterious saga.