Fri May 02 13:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Key Witness Testifies Against Karen Read in Retrial for Boyfriend’s Death

**Dedham, MA** – The retrial of Karen Read, accused of killing Boston police officer John O’Keefe, continued Wednesday with explosive testimony from Jennifer McCabe, a key witness who recounted hearing Read repeatedly say, “I hit him, I hit him, I hit him,” after O’Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow.

Read is being retried on charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. She has pleaded not guilty. A previous jury failed to reach a verdict.

McCabe, who also testified in the first trial, detailed the chaotic scene on January 29, 2022, after O’Keefe was discovered outside her sister’s home following a night of socializing with Read and others. She described finding O’Keefe, a close friend, and Read’s hysterical reaction. McCabe stated that while speaking to a first responder, she overheard Read’s confession.

McCabe’s testimony painted a picture of a night of drinking, followed by a frantic search for O’Keefe after he failed to return home. Read initially told McCabe she and O’Keefe had argued and she’d left him at a bar. McCabe’s search, along with another friend, led them to the tragic discovery of O’Keefe’s body. The 911 call, played in court, captured the urgency and confusion of the moment.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson aggressively cross-examined McCabe, questioning the consistency of her statements across different testimonies and alleging collusion with another witness, Kerry Roberts. He challenged her recollection of events, including whether she had heard a collision or screams, and questioned her account of a conversation with Read about searching for information on hypothermia. Jackson also accused McCabe of lying to investigators about who she had contacted after being questioned.

McCabe maintained her account of the events, stating that her intention was simply to provide accurate information and that she and Roberts had shared a traumatic experience. Read herself denied the accusation that she had asked McCabe to Google information on hypothermia.

The cross-examination of McCabe is expected to continue on Friday.

Read More