Karen Read's Trial Update: Delay In Wrongful Death Lawsuit Amid Criminal Charges

In a significant development this week, Karen Read's legal team has filed a motion to delay the wrongful death lawsuit brought against her by the family of her late boyfriend, a Boston police officer, John O'Keefe. This motion seeks to postpone the civil proceedings until after her upcoming criminal trial, where she faces serious charges related to O'Keefe's death. This case has garnered substantial media attention and raises questions about legal strategy and the implications of concurrent civil and criminal trials.

The wrongful death lawsuit, initiated last month, claims that Read is responsible for O'Keefe's death while also implicating the bars that served her alcohol despite her visible intoxication. It is alleged that on the night of January 28, 2022, Read consumed seven drinks at one bar within a brief period and then took a drink to another bar, where she continued to drink. The circumstances surrounding O'Keefe's death are complicated and tragic, drawing the public’s interest further into the events of that fateful night.

On January 27, a new criminal trial is set to commence, following a previous mistrial in July. Read has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter while driving under the influence. As her legal team pushes for a delay in the wrongful death suit, they argue that proceeding with the civil case concurrently with the criminal trial would infringe on her Fifth Amendment rights and hinder her defense. The outcome of this ongoing legal battle could have lasting implications for both parties involved.