Karen Read, charged with murder in Boston cop boyfriend's death, learns trial start date after heated hearing

The trial for Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman charged with murder in the death of Boston cop boyfriend John O'Keefe, is scheduled to begin in March 2024.

At least 100 supporters bearing signs with the message, "Free Karen Read," gathered outside the Norfolk County Superior Court Friday, when defense attorney David Yannetti pleaded with a judge to drop the defendant’s $80,000 bail. He argued that Read would surrender her passport and is not a flight risk as "one of the most recognizable criminal defendants in America," the Boston Globe reported.  Danielle Wallace is a reporter for Fox News Digital covering politics, crime, police and more. Story tips can be sent to danielle.wallace@fox.com and on Twitter: @danimwallace. 

Prosecutors allege that after arguing with O’Keefe, a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department, Read dropped him off at the Canton, Massachusetts, home of fellow officer, Brian Albert, then backed into O’Keefe with her SUV and left him unconscious during a blizzard’s freezing temperatures. Her defense has contended that O’Keefe was beaten in the basement of the home after he was dropped off, and the family dog, a German shepherd, attacked him and injured his right arm.