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The highly-anticipated trial of Karen Read got underway this week. Read is charged with second degree murder in the death of Boston police officer, and Read's longtime boyfriend, John O'Keefe in January 29, 2022.
Episode 63 is a walk through the frenzy that is called "The Canton Cover-up" by some, others see it as a national spectacle. Canton, the small town 20 miles outside Boston, is no stranger to tragedy. Over three decades ago, sweet, trusting 14-year-old Shawn Ouillette was lured into the woods, beaten, and left for dead. His 14-year-old schoolmate and eventual killer said no one would miss him. He wanted to know what it was like. To kill. That was 1986. Shawn is still missed by all who love him. His killer, Rod Matthews, remains in prison.Â
The present day events surrounding John O'Keefe's death have split that same small town in two. The case of a 46-year-old surrogate father to his sister's orphaned kids and 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department is an absolute shit show to no fault of his own. Lost, as is always the case, is the victim themselves.
John O'Keefe was so beloved that a GoFundMe fundraising page set up for his niece and nephew after he died, had raised more than $245,000 within its first 24 hours.
Karen Read, 44, John O'Keefe's longtime girlfriend, was arrested within days of his death and charged with drunkenly backing into him in her SUV in a snowstorm and leaving him to bleed out and freeze to death. Read has amassed a group of supporters for what some locals refer to as a "frame job" by a bunch of dirty town cops, staties, FBI agents, and DAs.
Photos: Karen Read and John O'Keefe in better days, a young officer O'Keefe, January snowfall, the Canton house where John O'Keefe was found,
The cases I refer to in this episode include: Jeffrey Curley (Cambridge, Mass, 1997) was 10 when he was taken by a neighbor with the promise of a bike, abused and killed. His murderers were put away by then-prosecutor, David Yannetti, who is now defending Read.
Beth Brodie (Groveland, Mass, 1992) was 15 when a boy who demanded her affection planned an attack with a bat and killed her in a neighbor's bedroom.
Visit JusticeforBethBrodie.com - her killer is up for parole, the hearing is Thurs, May 16 in Natick. Write the parole board and tell them No Parole for Richard Baldwin, W56202.
Molly Bish (Warren, Mass, 2000) was 16 when she disappeared from her lifeguard job at Comins Pond. Her remains were found 3 years later in nearby Palmer. Missing Children's Day was meant to honor Molly and other missing kids. We meet on Fri, May 17 at Massachusetts State House in Boston from 11am-1pm. Julie Murray is key note speaker.
Photos: young officer O'Keefe, with his niece and nephew, John and Karen in better times, the Canton home where John O'Keefe was found, an officer's send off in Braintree, John's hometown.
The cases I refer to in this episode include: Jeffrey Curley, Cambridge, Mass, he was 10 when he was taken by a neighbor with the promise of a bike, abused and killed in 1997, his murderers were put away by then-prosecutor, David Yannetti, who is now defending Read.
Beth Brodie, Groveland, Mass, 1992, she was 15 when a boy who demanded her affection planned an attack with a bat and killed her in a neighbor's bedroom.
Visit JusticeforBethBrodie.com - her killer is up for parole, the hearing is Thurs, May 16 in Natick. Write the parole board and tell them No Parole for Richard Baldwin, W56202Â
Molly Bish, Warren, Mass, 2000 - she was 16 when she disappeared from her lifeguard job at Comins Pond. Her remains were found 3 years later in nearby Palmer. The Bishes began Missing Children's Day to honor Molly and other missing kids. We meet on Fri, May 17 at Massachusetts State House in Boston.
Thanks to Dubs of True Crime Bloodhound | Substack | YouTube
Dubs is a Massachusetts true crime fan and new podcaster who believes in ethical true crime, that people's tragedies should not be sensationalized entertainment and putting the victim first.
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