The brother of John O’Keefe, Paul O’Keefe, has publicly addressed the aftermath of the Karen Read murder trial, which concluded last week in a mistrial. This marks the John O’Keefe family’s decision to step forward and voice their perspective on the case.
Paul O’Keefe, in an interview with WCVB, explained that the family had intentionally remained silent throughout the trial proceedings. Their silence was a conscious choice, aimed at avoiding any interference with the prosecution’s case. The John O’Keefe family held a firm belief that the legal process would lead to a guilty verdict for Karen Read, the woman accused of the second-degree murder of John O’Keefe. However, with the mistrial declared, and the prosecutor’s announcement of a retrial, the family has decided to break their silence.
The O’Keefe family has endured significant loss prior to John’s death. Paul O’Keefe recounted the tragic period in 2013 when they lost their sister Kristen to a brain tumor. Adding to their grief, Kristen’s husband suffered a fatal heart attack just months later. Following these devastating events, John O’Keefe stepped in to care for his young niece and nephew, taking them into his Canton home and becoming their guardian. Paul O’Keefe expressed that this selfless act was entirely in line with his brother’s character. He emphasized John’s unwavering generosity and willingness to help others, stating that John lived up to the ideal of someone who would “do anything for anybody.”
Throughout the 29 days of trial testimony, Paul O’Keefe was a constant presence, leading his family into the courtroom each day. He deliberately chose a seat in the front row, close to Karen Read and directly in the view of the courtroom camera. Paul explained this decision, stating that he was willing to be in the spotlight of the camera, but more importantly, he wanted Karen Read to be aware of his presence and the family’s unwavering commitment to seeking justice for John O’Keefe. He wanted to convey, “I’m here. And I’m not going anywhere. And I’m going to be here every day.”
Paul O’Keefe’s connection to Karen Read dates back to 2020 when she reconnected with his brother John O’Keefe. In 2022, Karen Read was arrested and charged with the murder of John O’Keefe, accused of fatally striking him with her SUV. Paul O’Keefe made it clear that he never believed the defense’s narrative, which suggested an alternative scenario involving other individuals and a police cover-up.
He also voiced his disappointment regarding the public support for Karen Read, evidenced by groups of supporters outside the courthouse daily. Paul O’Keefe expressed his view that these supporters were unwilling to accept the evidence presented. He contrasted their behavior with the seriousness of the situation, remarking on their “tailgating and, you know, having a good old time while there’s a murder trial going on inside the courthouse.”
During the closing arguments, in a symbolic gesture, Paul O’Keefe invited individuals who had been implicated by the defense in connection with his brother’s death to sit with his family. He explained that this was “just our way of saying, you know, we don’t believe any of this stuff,” referring to the defense’s allegations.
Following the declaration of a mistrial, Paul O’Keefe had a brief, direct interaction with Karen Read as he passed her. He recounted simply saying, “‘You’re not done yet.'” This statement underscores the John O’Keefe family’s continued pursuit of justice for John and their expectation of a retrial.
