Phone records discussed Monday in Karen Read's trial revealed that the defendant and her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, had a troubled relationship and had argued just hours before her body was found in the snow.
O'Keefe died in Canton, Massachusetts, on the morning of January 29, 2022. Prosecutors say Reed dropped her off at a house party hosted by a fellow officer after drinking, hit her with his SUV while making a three-point turn, and fled. Her defense team says she is being framed as part of a massive coverup.
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The messages between Reed and O'Keefe were revealed Monday afternoon during testimony from Massachusetts State Police forensics expert Trooper Nicholas Guarino.
Guarino was involved in extracting and reviewing data from four cell phones involved in the case — those belonging to Reed, O'Keefe and Jennifer McCabe and Kerry Roberts. At one point, Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally asked him to read a series of Facebook Messenger messages between Reed and O'Keefe starting in the afternoon on Jan. 28, 2022. In them, the couple appears to discuss a fight they had that morning.
Here's the full transcript of the conversation between Reid and O'Keefe in court on Monday:
January 28, 2022 Message:
Karen Reed (9:49 a.m.): You hurt me a lot this time.
John O'Keefe (10:02 am): I'm sorry. This has been a problem for me for 8 years. It physically pains me to see everyone doing things for others in their lives and me always being forced to be the bad guy
Read (10:09am): I'm not like everyone else. Most of the time I try to do what is healthy/smart for them. Most importantly I try to support you and meet your needs. You attacked me and said horrible things. I don't know how you got to this point with me when I was just trying my best. You kept your word and continued to beat me down. I have a lot going on too. Physically I'm falling apart and trying to get answers and help.
Read (10:10am): I'm just your girlfriend. I'm not a perfect parent. I'm trying so hard and sometimes I treat them like I used to.
Read (1:21 pm): Maybe you can call someone
O'Keefe (1:46 p.m.): Who? What time are you coming here?
Read (2:06 pm): I don't know what time it is. I'm feeling different. Just trying to clear my head
O'Keefe (2:06 p.m.): OK
Read (2:06 PM): Message me when you guys are comfortable
O'Keefe (2:06 p.m.): Sure.
Read (2:16 p.m.): I feel so disappointed about what happened this morning. I know you apologized, but it really hurts. Especially since I've been trying so hard lately. I feel like a loser who's held back after everything you said.
O'Keefe (2:17 p.m.): I don't know what else you want me to do. I said I was sorry and that I was out of line. I completely understand if you prefer to stay home
Read (2:17 p.m.): You know things have been tough in my life too.
O'Keefe (2:17 PM): I know.
Read (2:25 p.m.): Tell me if you're interested in someone else. I can't think of any other reason for you to be like this.
O'Keefe (2:25 PM) No
O'Keefe (2:26 p.m.): Things haven't been going well between us for a while now. Have you ever thought about that?
O'Keefe (2:29 p.m.): The kids are here. Not in the mood to talk
Read (2:29 p.m.): So you're not interested anymore. That's okay. But I don't want to keep trying and have you keep treating me like this.
Read (2:29 am): I'm trying to hug and kiss you this morning and you're slamming a pillow in my face
Read (2:30pm): Last night when we talked about the future you were basically like “Yeah what about?” So why don't you just admit that you're not interested in so many things anymore?
O'Keefe (2:30 p.m.): Don't know how that happened, but it's OK.
Read (2:30 pm): Can you please admit that you are out of the game with us?
O'Keefe (2:32 PM): I'm tired of always arguing and fighting. It's been a weekly occurrence for the past several months. So yeah, I'm not a quickie like you.
O'Keefe (2:32 PM): Oh my god!! Stop calling
Read (2:32 pm): So why did you start with me this morning??
Read (at 2:33): You start a lot of battles on your own.
O'Keefe (2:33 PM): I've explained this many times before. I won't do it again.
Read (2:33 PM): So you're not interested in this anymore?
O'Keefe (2:34 p.m.): Don't be in fights all the time, right.
Read (2:34 pm): If you tell me you're interested in someone else, you'll never hear from me again. You can have all the space in the world
Read (2:34 PM): Then stop arguing with me!!!
O'Keefe (2:34 PM): I'm not answering!! Stop calling
Read (2:34 pm): Can you please respond? How did you treat me before?
O'Keefe (2:34 PM) Kelly is right here
Read (2:35 PM): You suddenly start getting angry at me and then say you are tired of fighting with me.
Read (2:38 PM): I'm going to get a drink in a bit
Read (2:38 PM): Can you please reply??
O'Keefe (2:39 p.m.): No Karen. Don't understand why you need to announce you're going to have a drink, but have fun
Read (2:40 PM) I'll see you later if you want
Read (2:40 PM): Can you call me please?
O'Keefe (2:40 p.m.): He's got to be taken to the doctor. He's got to practice.
Read (2:41 pm): yes five minutes
O'Keefe (2:43 p.m.): My father just came in.
Read (2:44 PM) Okay, can you call me for two minutes?
O'Keefe (2:44 PM) Not yet
Read (2:44 PM): I'm there when someone needs me
Read (2:46 p.m.): Yes, John. You gave me a lot of grief this morning. I want you to call me for a minute.
Read (2:47 p.m.): I'm trying to get out of the argument and now you're telling me you're not interested in these things. And you don't want to fight every week but you get mad at me at 8 a.m. Like you're setting me up to fail.
Read (3:30 pm): Hello??
O'Keefe (3:35 p.m.): Hi.
January 29, 2022 Message:
Read (12:55 pm): I'm going home
Read (12:55 pm): See you later
Read (1:02 pm): Your children [expletive] alone
Read (1:04 p.m.): I'm back in Mansfield. The kids are home alone
There will be no testimony in the Reed trial on Wednesday because of the Juneteenth holiday. A full day of testimony is expected on Thursday and a half-day on Friday.