Judge to Hear Arguments Over Phones in Karen Read-O'Keefe Family Dispute

Phones at center of wrongful death lawsuit and witness intimidation investigation

Published on Mar. 6, 2026

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A judge in Plymouth, Massachusetts will hear arguments on Friday between Karen Read and the family of late Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe over whether two of Read's cell phones should be returned to her. The Norfolk County District Attorney's Office has had the phones for two years as part of an investigation into alleged witness intimidation, but the O'Keefe family is seeking to prevent the phones from being returned, citing potential evidence relevant to their wrongful death lawsuit against Read.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle between Read and the O'Keefe family, with both sides fighting over access to potential evidence on the phones. The outcome could impact the wrongful death lawsuit as well as the status of the witness intimidation investigation.

The details

Lawyers for the O'Keefe family filed an emergency motion seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent the phones from being returned to Read. They argue the phones could contain evidence relevant to their claim of intentional infliction of emotional distress against Read. Read's attorneys dispute the claim that Read made incriminating statements on a secretly recorded call, calling it a "serious fabrication of evidence." Read's team also argues the recording itself was illegal and that she was simply expressing frustration.

  • The hearing in Plymouth Superior Court is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday, March 6, 2026.
  • On February 23, 2026, lawyers for the O'Keefe family filed a motion seeking an emergency temporary restraining order.
  • On February 19, 2026, Read appeared in court in Dedham asking a judge to order the phones returned.

The players

Karen Read

The defendant in a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of late Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.

John O'Keefe

A Boston Police Officer who passed away, whose family is suing Read for wrongful death and infliction of emotional distress.

Marc Diller

The attorney representing the O'Keefe family in the lawsuit against Read.

Alan Jackson

The lead defense attorney representing Karen Read.

Aidan Kearney

Also known as "Turtleboy", a blogger facing witness intimidation charges connected to this case.

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What they’re saying

“I'm dead. I'm f*****g dead. Do you have any clue what's on the phone that they took?”

— Karen Read (Turtleboy)

“The defense's accusations are baseless and intended to distract from what he calls the central issue: preserving potential evidence.”

— Marc Diller, Attorney for the O'Keefe family (Court filings)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow the phones to be returned to Karen Read or to preserve them as potential evidence in the wrongful death lawsuit.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle between Karen Read and the O'Keefe family, with both sides fighting over access to potential evidence that could impact the wrongful death lawsuit as well as the status of the witness intimidation investigation. The outcome of the hearing could have significant implications for both the civil and criminal proceedings.