Judge Extends Juror Anonymity in Karen Read Case Due to Safety Concerns

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In a significant development in the Karen Read case, Judge Beverly Cannone has indefinitely extended the order to keep the jury list impounded. This decision follows a motion filed by a juror, identified under the pseudonym Juror Doe, who expressed credible fears for their personal safety and that of their family.
Earlier this month, Judge Cannone issued a temporary order to conceal the jury list from public view. On Thursday, she decided to extend this order after Juror Doe filed a motion, citing concerns about being threatened and harassed if the names were released.
"I am frightened for my personal safety as a result of learning that someone associated with this case has been criminally charged with intimidation," Juror Doe stated in the filing.
Juror Doe further elaborated, "If our names are made public, we will be constantly threatened and harassed, and there will likely be a physical confrontation at some point." The juror mentioned retaining legal counsel due to these safety concerns.
This order comes amid ongoing disputes over the potential outcomes if Judge Cannone had not declared a mistrial. Read's defense team argues that the jury unanimously agreed to find her not guilty on two of the three charges related to the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. They are seeking to dismiss these two charges on the grounds of "double jeopardy." Conversely, the prosecution maintains that dismissing the charges would be inappropriate.
Karen Read is accused of hitting and killing Officer O'Keefe with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. Her defense team claims she was framed by several individuals, including law enforcement officials. The high-profile case ended in a mistrial, but the fallout continues.
The juror's affidavit also mentioned awareness of a blogger, Aidan Kearney, charged with witness intimidation related to the case. Kearney, who writes for TB Daily News under the pseudonym "Turtleboy," has made incendiary social media posts about the jury. Juror Doe noted, "My concerns are not limited to a particular blogger or to a particular 'side' of this case. I am aware that there are other outspoken bloggers, commentators, and groups of people who wished for a guilty verdict on some or all charges against the defendant."
The affidavit included social media posts by Kearney, in which he expressed a desire to identify the "idiot on this jury."
The juror also recalled incidents of harassment mentioned by witnesses during the trial and noted that jurors could hear protesters outside the courthouse during deliberations. These protesters were reportedly yelling and screaming, adding to the tense atmosphere.
The juror's primary concern is the inability to protect themselves and their family from potential harm, stating, "I would not be able to protect myself or my family."
While an alternate juror has spoken to WBZ about their experience with the trial, none of the deliberating jurors have come forward publicly to discuss the case. Karen Read's attorneys have filed a motion to dismiss certain charges following the mistrial, claiming they have received input from several jurors about the deliberation process.
As the case continues to unfold, the safety of jurors remains a critical concern, underscoring the intense public interest and contentious nature of the trial.
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