Trial of woman accused in death of Boston PD boyfriend subject of new podcast

Legal and true crime network, Law&Crime has launched the next instalment of its trial-focused podcasts, Karen, available exclusively on Wondery+.

The new series, hosted by Paula Barros of Cold Case Files and The Rise and Fall of Ruby Franke, details the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe while also diving into the accusations of widespread corruption that shook a small New England town over the course of the trial of O’Keefe’s girlfriend, Karen Read.

In a case that was all over social media, many rallied against the defence’s claims that their client had been framed by those whose jobs it was to investigate.

While many criticised the defence for overreaching with wild claims of obstructed evidence, Read gained overwhelming support as a potentially framed martyr battling head-to-head against a powerful Massachusetts family with copious connections and plenty of opportunity to cover up their own wrongdoings.

The trial ended in a hung jury on 29 June and Read’s future still hangs in limbo.

Across seven episodes, the series give a detailed legal analysis of a complex string of evidence, while also considering both sides of the heated community debate into the culpability of public officials.

Through interviews with investigators, attorneys and others close to the case, the series paints a full picture of a town divided, and leaves listeners to decide for themselves whether Read was truly a cold-blooded killer or just an unlucky woman amongst people with something serious to hide.

The first two episodes of Karen are available now on Wondery+.