DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — The girlfriend of a Boston police officer who died during a winter storm in January after authorities say she struck him with her vehicle pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder at her Superior Court arraignment on Friday.
Karen Read, 42, of Mansfield, had originally been arraigned in district court on manslaughter and other charges, but a Norfolk County grand jury this week indicted her on the more serious charge.
She is also charged with motor vehicle manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision causing death.
A judge set bail at $100,000. Prosecutors had sought $500,000 bail.
Her boyfriend, 16-year veteran John O’Keefe, was found unresponsive outside a Canton home at about 6 a.m. on Jan. 29 during a snowstorm. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The couple had gone to two bars on the night of Jan. 28 and were heading to an after-hours party at the home, but Read did not feel well and decided not to attend, authorities said.
O’Keefe got out of the vehicle, and Read, while making a three-point turn, struck him, then drove away, prosecutors alleged. Read’s attorney said his client had no criminal intent, and prosecutors faced political pressure to charge her because a police officer died.
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