Karen Read | Prosecutors to Use Her Own Public Statements Against Her at Trial
By James Seidel | CC News Network | Crime & Cask Investigations
DEDHAM, MA — In a move that could reshape the upcoming retrial of Karen Read, prosecutors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have formally announced their intention to introduce Read’s own extrajudicial statements—including those made to the media and on her cellphone—as evidence against her in court.
The newly filed “Notice of Intention to Introduce Extrajudicial Statements of the Defendant” lays out a clear legal path for the Commonwealth: it plans to use Read’s public remarks, including those made without the presence of counsel, to prove inconsistencies and narrative manipulation surrounding the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
⚖️ A Legal Strategy, Years in the Making
Filed in Norfolk Superior Court on April 14, 2025, the notice references Massachusetts case law that allows prosecutors to use a defendant’s own statements against them—even if made outside the courtroom and without direct witness testimony.
“To admit a statement of a party-opponent, there is no requirement that a foundation be laid nor a witness that has personal knowledge of the subject,” the filing reads, citing Commonwealth v. Leste and Commonwealth v. Kozubal.
In plain terms, that means Read’s own words—whether recorded on her phone, shared with journalists, or posted publicly—can now be introduced without needing a cooperating witness to verify them.
What This Means for the Defense
The Commonwealth points specifically to:
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Statements made to medical providers, first responders, journalists, and family
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Cellphone recordings involving Read recounting her version of events
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Her “crafted narrations,” even those given with legal counsel present
Prosecutors argue these statements reflect evolving narratives and state-of-mind changes by Read, both immediately after O’Keefe’s death and years later during media appearances and interviews.
Importantly, the Commonwealth reserves the right to introduce these statements even through non-witness readers—meaning jurors could see or hear her statements without someone having to testify directly about their context.
Media Appearances Now Center Stage
While Read’s legal team has attempted to leverage media coverage to build public support and cast doubt on law enforcement’s handling of the investigation, this new filing signals a major reversal: her media strategy may now be used against her in court.
By formally notifying the court of their plans, prosecutors are signaling that they may highlight inconsistencies, rehearsed elements, or outright contradictions in Read’s public version of events—particularly if they differ from her initial statements to police or medical personnel.
As has been hinted in many previous filings, the Commonwealth now formally says it will introduce Karen Read’s media statements as evidence against her in her retrial. See filing here. #WBZ pic.twitter.com/AnHnSFQwr2
— Kristina Rex (@KristinaRex) April 14, 2025
Why It Matters
Read’s retrial is expected to be one of the most closely watched criminal cases in Massachusetts in recent memory. With the introduction of her own public statements as legal evidence, the trial could shift focus from forensic detail to credibility and consistency—putting the spotlight squarely on what Read has said, when she said it, and how it compares to the facts.
️ What’s Next
The retrial date remains pending, but pre-trial motions continue to stack up. Legal observers expect this move to provoke a strong response from Read’s defense, potentially triggering objections about admissibility, context, and prejudicial effect.
Whether the jury hears these statements in full—and how the prosecution presents them—could become a defining factor in whether Read walks free or is convicted.
James Seidel is the publisher of CC News Network and host of Crime & Cask, covering high-stakes legal cases across the U.S. For tips or legal filings, contact: jim@crimeandcask.com
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