Key Testimony in Karen Read’s Retrial: Was John O’Keefe Alive to Hear Her Last Words?

The retrial of KAREN READ on murder charges in the death of her boyfriend, JOHN O’KEEFE, took a dramatic turn Friday as prosecutors and defense attorneys focused on whether O’Keefe was alive to hear Read’s last words before his death on January 29, 2022. The case hinges on conflicting narratives about the events leading up to O’Keefe’s death, with both sides presenting their interpretations of key testimony.

During an ambulance ride after KAREN READ, KERRY ROBERTS, and JENNIFER MCCABE discovered O’Keefe unconscious under a pile of snow outside another officer’s home, Read reportedly told paramedics about an argument she had with her boyfriend. This statement became a focal point during the testimony of Canton firefighter and paramedic JASON BECKER.

Prosecutors allege that Read intentionally struck O’Keefe with her vehicle following a drunken argument and left him to die during a snowstorm. Read has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, manslaughter, and fleeing the scene, with her defense team denying she struck him at all.

Special prosecutor HANK BRENNAN questioned Becker about why he didn’t seek more details when Read mentioned her last words with O’Keefe were part of an argument. Becker, along with his partner, paramedic DANIEL WHITLEY, testified that they believed Read was O’Keefe’s wife at the time of the incident. “We were there to support Karen and ultimately get her to the hospital safely,” Becker stated.

Defense attorney ALAN JACKSON challenged the context of Read’s statement, suggesting it could have referred to an earlier argument or voicemails. Becker acknowledged that Read had shown him missed calls to O’Keefe but said he didn’t connect them to her statement about their last words.

Dr. GARREY FALLER, who oversaw the pathology lab when Read arrived at the hospital on the morning of O’Keefe’s death, also testified Friday. He revealed that Read had a blood alcohol level of .093% when her blood was drawn just after 9 a.m. Prosecutors played a clip from an interview in which Read admitted to spiking her own drinks with extra shots before leaving the Waterfall Bar and Grille in Canton around midnight.

Earlier in the day, jurors were transported to the crime scene at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, where police had towed Read’s Lexus SUV to recreate the scene. The vehicle was placed in the street outside the house, allowing jurors to examine it and the location of a broken taillight.

The trial, initially expected to last six to eight weeks, concluded its first week of testimony. The case continues to draw significant attention as both sides present their arguments in this high-profile retrial.

**Sources:**
[WATCH: Karen Read speaks to reporters at the end of the first week of her second trial](#)
[WATCH: Massachusetts state trooper reads texts between Karen Read and John O’Keefe](#)
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