Crime

The Free Karen Read movement is real

Published

7 months ago

May 17, 2024

DEDHAM, MA – I have been following the Karen Read case for well over a year. I have covered pre-trial hearings at Norfolk Superior Court since last fall and back then, it was a much quieter scene at the courthouse. Despite the lack of press (there was no CourtTV back then), the group of people that support Karen Read has been consistently large.

*Karen Read supporters outside Norfolk Superior Courthouse Photo: Allison Emilie*

Once the trial officially began, visibility began to ramp up and news coverage kicked in, but what I have observed is consistent across the board. From the minute you are exposed to the story behind the murder of John O’Keefe, you’re hooked, and, in my opinion, it has everything to do with Karen Read.

Mainstream media coverage of the case has allowed for the court proceedings to be broadcast throughout the day and followers of the trial have taken to all social media platforms to catch as much of the testimony as they can.

To really grasp the frenzy around the Karen Read trial, you’d have to be here to believe it. The Free Karen Read movement, which began online and now has tens of thousands of supporters, crossed over from the online world into real life, with sometimes dozens of supporters of the accused murderer attending court proceedings. Signs, flags, pictures and more filled the sidewalk outside the courthouse at hearings, yelling support for Karen whenever she walks into or out of court. The commonwealth, so concerned with the potential of jurors being exposed to the standouts and possibly influenced by the supporters, asked for and was granted a buffer zone to keep the rallies 200 yards away from the courthouse at all times during the trial.

Temporarily deflated, the #FKR supporters bounced right back and adopted the color pink to show silent support for Read and set up camp just outside the buffer zone. Day after day, rain or shine, supporters stand out for Read, playing court proceedings out loud for everyone to hear, reacting in real time to poignant moments in testimony.

The group of supporters, many of who had never met before following the murder trial, have now formed a bond. All on a first name basis, it isn’t uncommon to see those in the crowd hugging each other hello and goodbye, taking selfies together and sharing food.

They are also a kind crowd. This morning, two members of the group brought donuts over to members of the press sitting in line, offering the treats to members of the Massachusetts State Police and Norfolk Superior Court officers standing out front. Even court workers walking past were offered food, a common sight here at Norfolk.

It’s a very interesting concept. A friendly, dare I say, loving, group of supporters outside of a murder trial. By default, this should be a somber, perhaps angry crowd, but it isn’t. Rooted in their belief that not only is Karen Read innocent, but that she was framed, supporters are also thirsty for justice for John O’Keefe.

Karen herself often smiles and says thank you to supporters she passes in and out of the courtroom and her parents can be seen engaging with fans of Karen outside the court. Always pleasant and seemingly kind, Karen’s likability is tangible. Having seen her over a dozen times, I am consistently surprised at how her subtle confidence remains intact, despite circumstances.

And while Karen, attractive, composed and perpetually surrounded by a legal team and family, is the daily focus here, it is understood that when everyone is in the courthouse and the sidewalk is quiet, thoughts turn to the murder of a man by the name of John O’Keefe.

The trial, which started almost two weeks ago, is expected to last six to eight weeks, but it doesn’t seem that will detract supporters. Many have made it known they intend to be here every day there is court, determined to make sure Karen sees and hears them each day when she exits the black SUV she arrives in.

As I stand here now, writing this from the sidewalk out front of the courthouse, I see the group of supporters begin to make their way over to the parking lot where Karen has arrived. Soon, she and her team will exit and make their way into the courthouse for day 14 of testimony. She’ll be greeted by her personal hype team, grandmothers and even children, telling her they support and love her.