Karen Read movement still gaining momentum? Well, it has reached as far as Australia

Jessica Trufant, The Patriot Ledger

Jamie Talkington had been closely following another murder case when she happened to see some of the trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, Braintree native John O'Keefe.

Talkington, of Tempe, Arizona, said she was immediately sucked in.

"I was blown away by the events of this case," she said. "There were so many inconsistencies, and the way they gathered evidence was unbelievable."

Talkington will join people across the country and as far away as Australia on Monday for a standout in support of Read. Using a Facebook group of people who believe Read is innocent and was framed for O'Keefe's murder, Talkington said she has connected with eight other people around Phoenix who will join her Monday.

Standouts for Karen Read at the beginning August took place in about 30 locations.

Paul Cristoforo, an organizer with what has become known as the Karen Read Movement, said additional locations for the Monday standout are being added daily. At publication of this story, the count is at 43 for this Monday.

He said the purpose of the standouts are to bring awareness to the injustices that are going on in the case as well as the corruption going on within the Norfolk County District Attorney's office, the Massachusetts State Police and the Canton Police Department.

"She's factually innocent, and we won't give up until this is over," Cristoforo, of Abington, said.

Karen Read looks at a group of her supporters from the steps of Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Thursday June 27, 2024, after a third day of deliberations.
Karen Read looks at a group of her supporters from the steps of Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham on Thursday June 27, 2024, after a third day of deliberations.

What is a standout?

Supporters gather at a visible location with a lot of traffic, such as a highway overpass or rotary, and hold signs and wear T-shirts to bring attention to the Karen Read case.

Tips provided by the Free Karen Read movement website encourage supporters to use bold fonts and colors on their signs, incorporate humor and make the message personal. Supporters can find out the exact locations where people are meeting for the standout in each community by visiting the Free Karen Read Standouts website.

Karen Read charged with second-degree murder

Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder after O'Keefe's body was found in the driveway outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer Jan. 29, 2022, during a snowstorm. Prosecutors say Read was drunk and angry when she purposely hit him after a night of drinking with friends at two local bars.

But defense attorneys for Read say she was framed for O'Keefe's death.

Read is also charged with manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.

Prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses in testimony that started April 29.

The defense's list of witnesses was much shorter and included a plow driver who said he did not see anything on the lawn in Canton where O'Keefe's body was found.

Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial in the case in July. She has scheduled a second trial to begin Jan. 27, 2025.

Investigations into police and law enforcement after Karen Read trial

In total, four state troopers and one Canton police officer have been placed under investigation stemming from the Read case.

The State Police, who drew much public criticism throughout the trial, issued a statement after the mistrial was declared stating that Michael Proctor, the lead investigator on the case, was being transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County District Attorney's office.

Investigations into police and law enforcement after Karen Read trial

In total, four state troopers and one Canton police officer have been placed under investigation stemming from the Read case.

The State Police, who drew much public criticism throughout the trial, issued a statement after the mistrial was declared stating that Michael Proctor, the lead investigator on the case, was being transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County district attorney's office.

The following week, Interim State Police Superintendent Col. John Mawn accepted the recommendation made by a hearing board to place Proctor, of Canton, on unpaid leave.

During the trial, Proctor was questioned about inappropriate texts he had sent regarding Read during the investigation. He apologized to the jury for his "unprofessional" comments.

Canton police officer Kevin Albert was placed on paid leave in June pending an investigation related to testimony given during the trial.

Kevin Albert is a brother of Canton Select Board member Chris Albert and retired Boston police officer Brian Albert, who owned the house outside of which O'Keefe was found dead in January 2022.

While testifying in the case, Proctor acknowledged that he and Kevin Albert texted about coordinating part of the O’Keefe investigation even though the Canton Police Department recused itself.

The texts also revealed that Proctor and Kevin Albert worked on a cold case together and went out drinking together afterward. Albert later sent Proctor a text asking if he (Albert) had left his badge and gun in Proctor's police cruiser.

Two more Massachusetts state troopers with ties to the Karen Read case are facing internal affairs investigations. A third trooper was investigated, but allegations of wrongdoing were "unfounded," the agency said in a statement.

State Police Detective Lt. Brian Tully and Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik are also facing internal affairs investigations and remain on full duty, according to a statement issued by the State Police. Tully and Bukhenik both testified in the first murder trial.

The agency said Lt. John Fanning was also investigated and the agency "determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation that Lieutenant Fanning violated rules and regulations by failing to uphold the responsibilities of a supervisory member." The allegation was categorized as "unfounded."

Standouts in Massachusetts

  • Leominster

  • Northampton

  • Wayland

  • Holyoke

  • Auburn

  • Millbury

  • Worcester

  • Plainville

  • Boston (State House)

  • Quincy

  • West Roxbury

  • Woburn

  • Bourne

  • Kingston

  • Dighton

  • Dedham

  • Middleboro

  • Orleans

  • Raynham

  • Taunton

  • Weymouth

  • Dartmouth

  • Palmer

  • New Bedford

  • Attleboro

  • Stoneham

  • Bridgewater

  • Winchester

  • Plymouth

Standouts in other states

  • Nashua, N.H.

  • Providence, R.I.

  • Chesterfield, Mich.

  • Dayton, Ohio

  • Indianapolis, Ind.

  • Phoenix, Ariz.

  • Salem, N.H.

  • Manning, S.C.

  • Florence, S.C.

  • West Palm, Fla.

  • Bradenton, Fla.

Standouts in other countries

  • Hobart, Tasmania, Australia

  • Melbourne, Australia

  • Yarra River, South Bank, Australia

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Karen Read supporters plan standout to bring attention to case

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