The legal battle surrounding Karen Read took another turn in September 2025 as she revealed plans to file lawsuits against investigators, witnesses, and even law enforcement connected to her high-profile case. Her announcement came during a court hearing in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where she faced a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of her late boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
This development marks yet another chapter in a case that has captured national attention, combining legal intrigue, allegations of conspiracy, and questions about law enforcement accountability.
Karen Read’s Announcement in Court
During the September 22 hearing, Read, 45, appeared alongside her defense attorney, Damon Seligson, who outlined her intent to bring civil rights and conspiracy claims against multiple individuals. Among those named were members of the Massachusetts State Police — including Detective Lt. Brian Tully, Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, and former Trooper Michael Proctor.
In addition, civilian witnesses who were with Read and O’Keefe on the night of his death — including Brian and Nicole Albert, Jennifer and Matthew McCabe, and Brian Higgins — were also cited as potential defendants. These individuals had all attended the afterparty at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, where O’Keefe was later found unresponsive in the snow.
Read’s defense argued that these parties collectively worked to divert suspicion away from themselves, framing Read as the sole culprit.
Background on the Case
The controversy dates back to January 29, 2022, when O’Keefe’s body was discovered outside the Alberts’ residence during a snowstorm. Prosecutors initially alleged that Read, while intoxicated, struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die.
Read was tried twice for murder and manslaughter charges. The 2024 trial ended in a hung jury, while the second trial in spring 2025 resulted in an acquittal on the most serious counts. However, she was convicted of operating under the influence, a misdemeanor that led to a year of probation.
Read has consistently maintained her innocence, claiming she was framed and that O’Keefe was fatally injured inside the Alberts’ home.
For additional context, see Wrongful death claim and Criminal trial.
The O’Keefe Family’s Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Following the mistrial in 2024, O’Keefe’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Read. Plaintiffs include O’Keefe’s parents, his brother Paul, and his niece — who had been living with him after losing both her parents in quick succession.
The lawsuit accuses Read of striking O’Keefe with her vehicle and leaving the scene, causing his death. It also names two bars where the couple had been drinking that night — C.F. McCarthy’s and The Waterfall Bar & Grille — as defendants, arguing they overserved alcohol.
The O’Keefes also allege emotional distress, asserting that Read deliberately changed her story and fabricated a conspiracy to protect herself.
For related reading, see Emotional distress in United States law.
Karen Read’s Counterclaims
In response, Read’s legal team has indicated plans to file civil actions of their own. According to Seligson, the new claims would include:
- Civil conspiracy against the Alberts, McCabes, and Higgins
- Civil rights violations against law enforcement officers
- Negligence claims tied to the handling of Read’s SUV by Canton police
- Improper training and supervision allegations against the State Police
Seligson argued that these claims should be folded into the existing civil case to avoid parallel litigation. However, the O’Keefe family’s attorney, Marc Diller, said this was the first he had heard of the proposed counterclaims.
Judge Daniel O’Shea remarked that the move was unusual and noted that “this is not how the court system prefers to operate.”
Emotional Testimonies and Accusations
The hearing also included powerful statements from the O’Keefe family’s legal team. Diller accused Read of striking O’Keefe and then returning to his home to begin “plotting.”
O’Keefe’s teenage niece, who testified earlier this year, recalled Read waking her in a panic on the night of the incident, asking: “Could I have done something? Could he have been hit by a plow?” Diller emphasized the trauma of such an exchange, pointing out that the girl had already endured the loss of both parents.
The plaintiffs further accused Read of leading a public disinformation campaign, aided by blogger Aidan Kearney (known as Turtleboy), one of her most vocal supporters.
What Happens Next?
Judge O’Shea did not issue a final ruling but acknowledged that the case is likely to be lengthy and complex. He suggested both sides consider settlement discussions to avoid years of litigation.
Still, the civil case could ultimately require Read to testify under oath about O’Keefe’s death — something she never did during her criminal trials. Unlike criminal proceedings, civil trials operate under the preponderance of the evidence standard, meaning the O’Keefe family must only prove that it is “more likely than not” that Read was responsible.
If successful, the family could be awarded monetary damages, while Read’s countersuits could expose law enforcement and witnesses to their own liabilities.
Final Thoughts
The Karen Read updates September 2025 highlight just how far-reaching this case has become. What began as a murder trial has evolved into a tangled web of civil litigation, counterclaims, and conspiracy allegations that could take years to resolve.
At its core, the case raises broader questions about trust in law enforcement, witness credibility, and the intersection of public opinion with the legal system. With both sides digging in, the next stages of this legal battle promise to be as high-profile as the trials that preceded them.
For now, one thing is certain: the Karen Read case remains one of the most closely watched legal sagas in Massachusetts.
