Karen Read defense floats theory that ‘jealous’ Brian Higgins fought John O’Keefe before death

Officer John O’Keefe poses for his official headshot

John O’Keefe (Boston Police Department)

Jackson presented video evidence purportedly capturing Brian Higgins at the Canton Police Department headquarters roughly an hour post the timeframe in which prosecutors allege O’Keefe passed away.

Surveillance footage showed Higgins alongside a group at the Waterfall Bar and Grille, with Read and O’Keefe, on January 28. Higgins later joined an after-party at 34 Fairview Road, a property belonging to another Boston police officer, Brian Albert.

O’Keefe was discovered dead outside the following morning.

Several witnesses have come forward, testifying that they heard Read repeatedly confess, “I hit him,” on the morning when Read and two former friends discovered O’Keefe’s body buried in snow on Albert’s lawn.

Karen Read in court for a retrial for the death of John O’Keefe.

Karen Read sits with her defense team during her trial, May 8, 2025, in Dedham, Mass. (Charles Krupa/AP Pool)

After sending jurors to lunch Monday, Cannone held a quick voir dire hearing and ultimately said she would not allow Jackson to question Bukhenik about what he knew about the relationship between Proctor and relatives of Albert, including one of his brothers, Chris, who was also at the Waterfall on Jan. 28.

Read could face up to life in prison if convicted of the top charge, second-degree murder. She is also accused of manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident. 

Police have not accused Higgins of a crime, and prosecutors say Read is the only suspect in O’Keefe’s death.

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