Karen Read Murder Trial: Victim’s Mother Speaks Out for the First Time

As the second murder trial of Karen Read unfolds in Massachusetts, the emotional toll of the case has reached a new peak. For the first time, the mother of the alleged victim, John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, publicly shared her grief and the painful memories of losing her son. This trial centers around the tragic events of January 2022, where Read, allegedly under the influence of alcohol, struck O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV after a night of drinking in Canton. What followed was a devastating series of actions that led to O’Keefe’s death in a blizzard, left on the roadside in the freezing cold.

The trial, which is taking place in Norfolk Superior Court, marks a second attempt to bring closure to the case. In the first trial last year, the jury was unable to reach a verdict, leaving the question of Read’s responsibility still unresolved. Now, Read faces charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident that caused O'Keefe’s death. She maintains her innocence and has pleaded not guilty.

A Mother’s Heartbreak

Margaret “Peggy” O’Keefe, O’Keefe’s mother, had not spoken publicly about her son’s tragic death during the first trial. However, on Wednesday, she took the stand as a witness for the Commonwealth. As she began to testify, the courtroom fell silent, the weight of her words palpable. Through tearful eyes, she described her son as a man full of enthusiasm, particularly for sports, and a loving uncle who took on the responsibility of raising his niece and nephew after their parents died unexpectedly.

“He was their No. 1,” Peggy O’Keefe said, her voice shaking with emotion. "They called him JJ."

The mention of her son’s playful nickname brought tears to her eyes, and the courtroom was visibly moved when special prosecutor Hank Brennan displayed a photo of O'Keefe smiling—his vibrant energy captured forever. The photo painted a picture of a man full of life, now tragically gone too soon.

Also: Karen Read Murder Trial: Key Witness Kerry Roberts Says Victim John O'Keefe Has Been "Forgotten"

The Heart-Wrenching Moment

Peggy O’Keefe recounted the harrowing morning she learned of her son’s death. After hearing that he had been found, she arrived at Good Samaritan Hospital in Brockton, desperate to find him. She vividly recalled walking down the hospital corridor toward the emergency room, hoping against hope to find him alive. But what she saw next left a haunting imprint on her memory: Karen Read standing in the hallway, repeatedly screaming out, asking if her son was “dead.”

That painful moment, the rawness of the question echoing in her mind, marked the beginning of her heartbreak. Later that morning, after O’Keefe was pronounced dead, Peggy O’Keefe left the hospital and went to her son’s home to mourn with her husband and grandchildren.

In a chilling twist, she described how Karen Read arrived at the house with her family members shortly after. Peggy O’Keefe said that although Read was there, she didn’t recall speaking with her. After a brief visit, Read and her family left, taking her Lexus SUV with them, which was parked in the driveway.

A Family’s Grief and Legal Tension

The emotional gravity of Peggy O’Keefe’s testimony underscored the personal toll this case has taken on the victim’s family. In court, her grief was undeniable, but her strength in the face of such unspeakable loss was evident. The defense did not cross-examine Peggy O’Keefe, perhaps respecting the emotional weight of her testimony.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson, after hearing the heart-wrenching account, expressed his sympathy, saying, “I am very, very sorry for your loss.”

However, the legal battle is far from over. As the case progresses, the question of what truly happened that fateful night remains in focus. Was Read’s behavior an act of negligence, or was there more to the story? The defense has yet to present its case, and Read’s claims of innocence will likely continue to be central to the proceedings.

The Impact on the Community

The murder trial not only affects O’Keefe’s family but also resonates with the broader community, especially within law enforcement. John O'Keefe, a dedicated Boston police officer, was loved and respected by his colleagues, and his death has shaken the community deeply. The pain of losing one of their own, under such tragic circumstances, reverberates beyond the courtroom, as law enforcement officers and citizens alike seek justice for O’Keefe’s untimely death.

As Karen Read faces her retrial, the emotional testimony of Margaret O’Keefe serves as a stark reminder of the human lives affected by this tragedy. The pursuit of justice for O'Keefe and his family continues, as Peggy O'Keefe's heartbreaking words and the unresolved questions of that night stand at the center of the case.

In the coming weeks, the trial will no doubt continue to unfold, and the emotional strain will likely intensify as both sides make their case. Whether or not the jury will reach a different conclusion in this second trial remains to be seen, but for Peggy O’Keefe, the quest for justice for her son is deeply personal, and the trial offers her a final opportunity to seek accountability for the senseless loss of her beloved child.