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After ten days and nearly 600 potential jurors screened, the judge in the Karen Read murder trial finally declared a full jury seated. The lengthy process reflected a growing challenge in modern high-profile trials: finding jurors who can put aside what they have heard and remain fair.
This blog post explores the Karen Read jury deliberations as a window into broader issues of impartiality, digital-age voir dire, and how attorneys strategize to seat fair juries.
Trial by Hashtag
Karen Read is charged with second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. Prosecutors allege that she struck him with her SUV and left him outside to die in the snow. Her defense presents a different theory, arguing that O’Keefe died inside a fellow officer’s home and that the circumstances were concealed in an attempted cover-up.
In 2023, her first trial ended in a hung jury, setting the stage for a much-anticipated retrial. Since then, it has been dissected in blog posts, parsed in Reddit forums, and debated by thousands of armchair detectives on TikTok. As new developments emerged — text messages, conflicting witness statements, and investigative missteps — public opinion became increasingly polarized.
A local blogger known as “Turtleboy” launched a “Canton Cover-Up” series, publishing hundreds of articles and videos dissecting the case and accusing the authorities of corruption. His content shifted public perception of Read from accused criminal to potential victim of systemic wrongdoing, even sparking protests as supporters from around the country rallied to “Free Karen Read”. On Reddit, a subreddit surfaced to debate evidence, while TikTok and YouTube creators pored over every legal detail. In short, digital platforms helped shape the trial’s narrative.
The effect of this viral exposure was evident when jury selection began on April 1, 2025.
Voir Dire 2.0
The process of voir dire — the screening of jurors before trial — has changed significantly. It is no longer just about whether jurors have heard of the case. Attorneys in Read’s trial probed how extensively candidates had been exposed to such media. Did they follow the case on Twitter (X)? Watch any YouTube breakdowns? Participate in the lively r/KarenReadTrial subreddit discussions?
Nearly 90% of the people called for jury duty already knew the details of the case. Anticipating this, the court summoned hundreds of extra jurors. As Bill Read, Karen Read’s father, remarked during the process, “There are too many people, a lot of people know what’s going on and they’ve formed their opinions.” This is the reality of high-profile trials today: public awareness often precedes courtroom proceedings, and finding a truly impartial panel is increasingly difficult.
From a legal perspective, attorneys must now act as both litigators and digital investigators, evaluating not just jurors’ answers in court but also their online presence and potential exposure to pretrial narratives.
Despite the challenges, the court ultimately seated 18 jurors (12 primary and 6 alternates) who affirmed their ability to focus solely on the evidence presented at trial.
Guarding Impartiality Beyond Selection
Selecting a jury is only the first step. Once the trial starts, the court must shield the jurors from undue influence and ensure they remain impartial throughout the verdict.
After protestors were heard during jury deliberations in the first trial, Judge Beverly Cannone implemented a buffer zone around the courthouse. The revised boundary places demonstrators several hundred feet away. In its ruling, the court found the restriction content-neutral and narrowly tailored, aiming not to silence viewpoints but to protect jurors from outside influence.
The judge also approved a motion to impound juror names, preventing public identification. This has become a growing trend in high-profile cases to shield jurors from potential harassment, online targeting, or attempts at contact.
In more extreme scenarios, judges can sequester jurors entirely, keeping them in a hotel and isolating them from the media. While that step wasn’t taken in Read’s case, its mere consideration shows how far courts will go to preserve impartiality. Judges also routinely remind jurors to avoid media, refrain from online discussions, and disclose any accidental exposure to coverage. Violations may result in removal or even contempt.
Conclusion
The Karen Read trial reflects a broader shift: courtroom proceedings now unfold alongside public narratives shaped by viral content. The legal system continues to adapt. Voir dire is more extensive. Juror protections are stricter. And attorneys must account for a media ecosystem that shapes perception before a case is ever heard in court.
Opening statements are set to begin Tuesday, April 22. Our team at Brewster & De Angelis will be following the trial closely and providing ongoing legal insights.
Contact us today to learn how our expertise can support your case.
Sources:
1. “Karen Read Jury Seated, Trial to Begin with Opening Statements Next Week.” Ground News. Accessed 17 Apr. 2025.
2. Z., Xinyi. “The Karen Read Case: How Social Media and Independent Journalism Shaped a Murder Trial.” LinkedIn, 31 Dec. 2024.
3. D, Victoria. “Karen Read Trial Buffer Zone for Protesters Does Not Violate First Amendment, Federal Judge Says.” CBS News, CBS Interactive.