DEDHAM – For the first time since Karen Reads As her murder trial began more than two months ago, protesters showed up outside the Dedham courthouse, saying she was guilty of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.
“They treat this like it’s a recreational activity, like it’s all fun”
Armed with signs and a megaphone, five protesters walked through a sea of pink-clad supporters who believe Read is innocent and was framed by several people, including law enforcement officers.
“We are done with the majority winning,” said one of the demonstrators, carrying a megaphone. “You stand for what is right, even if you stand alone. We stand for the O’Keefe family and we stand for John O’Keefe. This is a horror what is happening, they are treating this as if it is a recreational activity, as if it is all fun. This is a murder case.”
Another woman told WBZ-TV she “100%” believes Read killed O’Keefe and that she has admitted to it.
The group said they came to the courthouse to support the O’Keefe family and hinted that they knew them personally, but did not elaborate. They said they were inspired to mobilize after an incident Thursday. According to Dedham police, Read supporters came to the O’Keefe family’s private gathering place and tried to get inside. Police said they eventually left without incident.
“Maybe, just maybe, we should let the family grieve in peace,” said one of the protesters.
“It’s absurd, it’s disgusting and it has to stop,” another told WBZ-TV.
Supporters say the protest energized them
Read supporters said the protest was unexpected and only energized them, with one woman claiming they were the ones on the side of the truth.
CBS Boston
“Enough with the bullying, we need to bring back the respect and we need to bring it back now,” she told a crowd of reporters.
When asked about the group’s claims that Read supporters harassed O’Keefe’s family, the woman accused the protesters of projection.
The protest came on the same day that the jury a note sent to the judge stating that this was the case stuck and could not reach a unanimous decision. The judge sent them back to deliberate, and Read’s supporters said they wonder why an acquittal has not yet been reached.
“She’s always going to have to live with the possibility of trying this whole thing again for the rest of her life,” said Read supporter Paul Harvey. “They should never have gone to court.”
Penny Kmitt
