“Defense Pressured Me to Lie”: Cop’s Explosive Testimony in Karen Read Trial
A Dramatic Day in Court: Dever’s Allegations and a Dog Bite Controversy
The Karen Read murder retrial took a stunning turn this week as former Canton police officer Kelly Dever accused Read’s defense team of pressuring her to lie under oath—while a dog bite expert testified that the victim’s injuries may have come from an animal attack, not a car.
The case, which has gripped Massachusetts for years, centers on whether Read fatally struck her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV in January 2022, or if he was killed in a cover-up involving law enforcement.
Dever’s Shocking Allegations: “They Told Me to Lie”
Dever, now a Boston police officer, was called by the defense but quickly became a hostile witness. She testified that Read’s attorneys threatened her with perjury charges if she didn’t repeat a since-retracted statement about seeing two law enforcement officials near Read’s SUV in a police garage.
- Original Claim: In August 2023, Dever told federal investigators she saw ATF Agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz in the garage with Read’s SUV for a “wildly long time” 29.
- Retraction: She later recanted, saying she had already left work before the SUV arrived and that her memory was influenced by media coverage 412.
- Accusation Against Defense: Dever claimed a defense attorney raised his voice and warned her she’d face perjury if she didn’t testify to the false memory. “They did not want me to tell the truth,” she said 511.
Outside court, Read fired back: “We just wanted her to repeat what she told other law enforcement agencies under penalty of perjury” 12.
The Dog Bite Theory: A Game-Changer for the Defense?
While Dever’s testimony rattled the defense, Dr. Marie Russell, a retired emergency room physician, delivered a bombshell of her own. She testified that O’Keefe’s arm injuries were consistent with a dog attack, not a car impact—a key pillar of the defense’s argument that O’Keefe was mauled inside the home where he was found.
- Injuries: Russell described linear wounds and punctures matching canine teeth, with fabric tears on O’Keefe’s sleeve suggesting a dog bite 712.
- Prosecution Pushback: The state challenged Russell’s credibility, noting she had never testified as a dog bite expert before and suggesting she sought publicity 12.
- Defense’s Claim: They argue O’Keefe was attacked by Chloe, a dog owned by the homeowner where O’Keefe was found 12.
The Bigger Picture: A Case Mired in Scandal
The trial has been plagued by controversies:
- Trooper Michael Proctor’s Firing: The lead investigator was dismissed after vile texts about Read surfaced, calling her a “whackjob” and mocking her appearance 12.
- Conspiracy Theories: Read’s team alleges a police cover-up, pointing to Proctor’s texts and Dever’s initial statements 9.
- Public Backlash: The case has divided locals, with some rallying behind Read as a victim of law enforcement corruption 11.
What’s Next?
With Dever’s testimony casting doubt on the defense’s tactics and Russell’s analysis challenging the prosecution’s timeline, the jury faces a high-stakes decision. Closing arguments are expected soon, but one thing is clear: This trial is far from over.