A timeline of the Karen Learn case and the tale in the back of the high-profile Massachusetts homicide trial by means of NewsFlicks

Karen Learn was once discovered no longer responsible of probably the most critical fees in her high-profile Massachusetts homicide retrial Wednesday. Of their fourth day of deliberations, jurors acquitted Learn of second-degree homicide and manslaughter within the dying of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. She was once convicted of riding inebriated.

Learn’s first trial, which began in April 2024 at Norfolk Awesome Court docket in Dedham, ended months later in a mistrial because of a “starkly divided” hung jury. 

After months of extra pretrial hearings following the mistrial, jury variety in Learn’s moment trial started on April 1, 2025. The jury were given the case and started deliberations on June 13, 2025.

Learn was once accused of hitting O’Keefe together with her SUV in 2022 and leaving him to die. Protection lawyers argued she was once the sufferer of an elaborate cover-up and was once being framed by means of a gaggle of people who incorporated legislation enforcement.

Here’s a have a look at the timeline of occasions within the Karen Learn investigation and trials.

January 29, 2022 – the evening John O’Keefe died

In a while after nighttime: Karen Learn, John O’Keefe and a gaggle of pals went to the Waterfall Bar and Grill in Canton at the evening of January 28, 2022. In line with prosecutors, Learn ate up a number of alcoholic drinks. Learn drove O’Keefe to the house of Boston police officer Brian Albert. This is the place police stated folks from the bar had been assembly again up. 

1 a.m.:  Court docket paperwork later published that within the weeks earlier than or even the hours main as much as the evening out, textual content messages between Learn and O’Keefe in addition to voicemails confirmed a strained dating. Investigators stated that round 1 a.m. on January 29, Learn allegedly left O’Keefe a voicemail that stated “…you’re a f—— loser, f— your self” and “John, I f—— hate you.”

4-5 a.m. – At 4:23 a.m. whilst heavy snow was once falling, O’Keefe’s niece referred to as Jennifer McCabe, Brian Albert’s sister-in-law and a pal of O’Keefe’s. She stated Learn was once “distraught” as a result of O’Keefe had no longer come house and was once no longer answering his cell phone. In line with courtroom paperwork, McCabe stated she heard Learn screaming “John did not come house. We had a battle.” Round 5 a.m. Learn referred to as every other lady whose husband was once pals with O’Keefe. Prosecutors alleged that Learn stated whilst they searched “What if he is useless? What if a plow hit him? … I do not consider the rest from remaining evening, we drank such a lot I do not consider the rest.”

5:07 a.m. – Learn, McCabe, and the 0.33 lady went to search for O’Keefe. Prosecutors stated Learn discussed to the ladies that she had a crack in her tail mild and questioned if she will have hit O’Keefe. At 5:07 a.m., a surveillance digicam at O’Keefe’s space presentations Learn’s SUV coming “extraordinarily shut” to O’Keefe’s SUV within the driveway. Prosecutors say no tail mild items had been discovered within the driveway. Learn’s protection argues the car did strike the SUV, breaking the tail mild and offering an reason behind injury to SUV.

6 a.m. – Round 6 a.m., Learn sees O’Keefe mendacity within the snow outdoor Brian Albert’s house. An emergency responder stated that whilst hysterical and inconsolable, Learn time and again says “I hit him. I hit him.” The protection argues that one of the crucial first responding officials from Canton police gave “false and misleading testimony” to the grand jury that may later indict Learn.

January 29, 2022 – Prosecutors and protection lawyers agree that in the future the morning O’Keefe was once killed, anyone googled “hos (sic) lengthy to die in chilly.” The perimeters disagree on when the hunt was once made. Prosecutors say the hunt came about at 6:23 a.m. and six:24 a.m. after O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. The protection says a federal forensic knowledgeable decided the hunt was once made at 2:27 a.m., earlier than police had been alerted that O’Keefe’s frame were discovered.

How did John O’Keefe die?

January 29, 2022 – Police say they discovered a damaged cocktail glass and items of tail mild on the scene. A forensic toxicologist estimated that Learn’s blood alcohol content material (BAC) would were round .13-.29 round 12:45 a.m., greater than the criminal prohibit.

January 31, 2022 – An post-mortem is finished on O’Keefe. Prosecutors stated the scientific examiner dominated the reason for dying was once blunt have an effect on accidents to the pinnacle and hypothermia. They are saying the scientific examiner didn’t in finding “any evident indicators of an altercation or a battle.”

Karen Learn arrested

February 2, 2022 – Learn seems in Stoughton District Court docket for the primary time, pleading no longer responsible to manslaughter, motor car murder, and leaving the scene of a motor car collision inflicting dying.

June 10, 2022 – A Norfolk County grand jury indicts Karen Learn on fees of second-degree homicide, manslaughter whilst working inebriated, and leaving the scene of private harm and dying. Learn is arraigned at the new fees in O’Keefe’s dying. She pleaded no longer responsible in Norfolk Awesome Court docket in Dedham and was once ordered hung on $100,000 bail. Learn made bail and was once launched.

Karen Learn’s protection claims she was once framed

Might 3, 2023 – Protection lawyers Alan Jackson and David Yannetti allege that O’Keefe was once inquisitive about a battle inside of Brian Albert’s house. They declare O’Keefe was once overwhelmed and his frame was once later dumped outdoor. Jackson and Yannetti desirous about wounds to O’Keefe’s fingers, which they stated confirmed he was once attacked by means of Albert’s canine right through the battle.

“This isn’t simply fishing,” Jackson stated right through the Might 3 listening to. “We have were given a fish at the hook, we simply want the courtroom to assist us reel it in.” Norfolk Assistant District Lawyer Adam Lally argued that O’Keefe by no means went in the house and added “There is not any proof that Mr. O’Keefe was once overwhelmed and left for for useless.”

Might 24, 2023 – All through a pretrial listening to, Learn’s lawyers laid out what they allege to be a cover-up by means of legislation enforcement. 

“Undoubtedly the Massachusetts State Police is concerned. There are those who had been in that space which might be concerned,” Jackson stated. “Brian Albert is concerned. Jennifer McCabe is concerned. The remainder of the oldsters that had been in that space, there is some stage of involvement by means of each certainly one of them. Each and every unmarried certainly one of them. We are not going to relaxation till we unravel precisely who is in the back of this cover-up. Now not handiest Karen Learn merits this. John O’Keefe merits this, and has deserved this from second one. And that is the reason why they are no longer going to relaxation.”

Following the dramatic listening to, Learn spoke to journalists for the primary time. 

“We all know who did it. We all know. And we all know who spearheaded this cover-up. You all know,” Learn stated at the courthouse steps. “I attempted to save lots of his lifestyles. I attempted to save lots of his lifestyles at 6 within the morning, I used to be coated in his blood. I used to be the one one looking to save his lifestyles.”

Court battles over proof

August 1, 2023 – Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone denied a prosecution request for a gag order within the case. The Norfolk District Lawyer’s administrative center had requested for the gag order pronouncing witnesses had been being confused. Yannetti countered by means of pronouncing it was once prosecutors who’re “controlling the narrative.”

August 25, 2023 – Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey launched a video commentary slamming what he described as “completely baseless” harassment of witnesses within the case. 

“Conspiracy theories aren’t proof,” Morrissey stated. “The concept that a couple of police departments, EMTs, Fireplace workforce, the scientific examiner, and the prosecuting company are joined in, or taken in by means of, an unlimited conspiracy will have to be noticed for what it’s – utterly opposite to the proof and a determined try to re-assign guilt.”

Why was once “Turtleboy” arrested?

October 11, 2023 – Aidan Kearney, the blogger who operates the website “Turtleboy Information,” was once arrested on fees of witness intimidation associated with the Karen Learn case. Kearney were masking the case for months, steadily recording himself confronting witnesses. His protection lawyer advised the pass judgement on that Kearney was once exercising his First Modification proper.

December 26, 2023 – A pass judgement on revoked Kearney’s bail amid new attack and battery fees. Kearney allegedly went to his ex-girlfriend’s house, demanded to look her telephone, then shoved her right through a disagreement. Kearney remained in prison for almost two months however was once later launched on private recognizance.

Proof underneath scrutiny

February 22, 2024 – In courtroom filings, prosecutors stated they have got DNA proof recovered from a damaged tail mild that implicates Learn in O’Keefe’s dying. They stated the tail mild is identical subject matter from Learn’s SUV, and that the DNA matched O’Keefe’s. In addition they stated damaged tail mild subject matter was once discovered on O’Keefe’s clothes.

March 12, 2024 – Learn’s protection workforce stated {that a} federal investigation into the case resulted in an FBI knowledgeable concluding that proof does no longer reinforce the idea that O’Keefe died after being hit by means of an SUV. 

“The wear and tear at the automobile was once inconsistent with having made touch with John O’Keefe’s frame. In different phrases, the automobile did not hit him, and he wasn’t hit by means of the automobile,” Jackson stated. Prosecutors disagreed, accusing Learn’s lawyer of “protection by means of obfuscation.”

March 13, 2024 – In a temporary commentary, Massachusetts State Police stated they have got opened an inner investigation into “a possible violation of division coverage” by means of Trooper Michael Proctor, who was once the lead investigator within the case. Police didn’t say what caused the investigation, however stated he stays on complete accountability. Learn’s protection lawyers stated the federal investigation confirmed Proctor concealed private ties to folks concerned within the case. In a commentary, Proctor’s lawyer Michael DiStefano denied any wrongdoing.

“Trooper Proctor has been absolutely cooperative in responding to the investigations performed by means of the USA Lawyer’s Place of job and the Massachusetts State Police Inside Affairs Unit,” DiStefano stated. “To be transparent, Trooper Proctor stays steadfast within the integrity of the paintings he carried out investigating the dying of Mr. John O’Keefe. To the level that Trooper Proctor’s private textual content messages are alluded to in courtroom lawsuits relating to Ms. Learn, he respectfully submits that the target investigative steps he and individuals of his unit took are not at all undermined by means of the content material of the non-public messages.”

Karen Learn homicide trial takes middle degree

March 26, 2024 – Pass judgement on Cannone denied a protection movement to disregard the case. Cannone stated she was once denying the movement because of “in depth proof supporting the indictments.”

April 12, 2024 – All through the ultimate pretrial listening to within the case, Cannone heard 30 other motions on which she needed to rule, being attentive to arguments from each side on a lot of them. 

Amongst them was once a controversy by means of Learn’s lawyers that they will have to be capable to make a third-party offender protection right through the trial. They are saying Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins, all of whom had been provide on the occasion John O’Keefe was once on the evening he died, will have killed O’Keefe. 

Prosecutor Lally referred to as it a “fanciful tale,” however advised the pass judgement on “there is in fact no precise proof.”

Jury variety starts

April 16, 2024 – Karen Learn’s second-degree homicide trial started with jury variety. A complete of 4 jurors had been added at the first day.

April 17, 2024 – Jury variety persevered for a moment day, with seven extra jurors added. 

April 17, 2024 – A 3rd day of jury variety wrapped with no complete jury seated. Two extra jurors had been added, however one from a prior day was once excused, bringing the full selection of jurors seated thus far to twelve. 

April 24, 2024 – A jury was once seated at the 5th day of jury variety over the path greater than per week. The trial is scheduled to remaining 6-8 weeks as soon as a jury is seated.

Testimony underway

April 29, 2024 – Opening statments and testimony were given underway with the first witnesses referred to as. John O’Keefe’s brother Paul and his spouse Erin had been the primary two at the stand. Canton police officer Steve Saraf additionally started his testimony. Prosecutors confirmed video from Saraf’s dashboard digicam as he arrived on scene.

April 30, 2024 – A Canton paramedic who handled John O’Keefe the day he died testified that he heard a girl pronouncing “I hit him, I hit him.” Learn’s protection workforce argued that the person’s testimony has modified through the years.

Might 2, 2024 – 4 paramedics and firefighters testified about what they heard Learn say the morning O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered.

Might 6, 2024 – Jurors heard the 911 calls from the day O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. Police who answered to the scene testified as neatly at the 5th day of testimony.

Might 7, 2024 – A number of Canton law enforcement officials testified about their dealing with of the crime scene. Amongst them was once Sgt. Michael Lank, who Learn’s protection workforce argued had private connections to the house the place John O’Keefe’s frame was once present in 2022.

Might 10, 2024 – There was once a pause within the trial as Pass judgement on Cannone heard arguments about whether or not Aidan Kearney, who publishes as “Turtleboy” for his website, TB Day-to-day Information, will have to be allowed within the court. He’s going through fees of witness intimidation involving folks within the Learn case. The pass judgement on dominated that Kearney will have to depart the court when positive witnesses take the stand.

Additionally that day, retired Boston police officer Brian Albert took the stand. He owned the house the place O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. Albert testified that O’Keefe and Learn by no means entered his house the evening of the incident. 

Might 14, 2024 – A girl who was once at Brian Albert’s Fairview Street house the evening O’Keefe died stated she noticed a “black blob” within the garden as she was once leaving. The protection referred to as it a “made-up tale.”

Might 15, 2024 – Allie McCabe, a prosecution witness, broke down in tears at the stand describing harassment within the case. Colin Albert, who the protection claims will have been inquisitive about a battle that killed O’Keefe, was once also referred to as as a witness.

Might 16, 2024 – Colin Albert completed his testimony with cross-examination that desirous about what protection lawyers declare is a historical past of violent habits. 

Might 17, 2024 – Jennifer McCabe, a key witness within the case, took the stand. She was once with Learn the morning O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. McCabe testified that Learn requested her to Google how lengthy it could take anyone to die within the chilly. Protection lawyers argue the hunt in fact came about earlier than O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. Court docket ended for the day earlier than Learn’s lawyers started to cross-examine McCabe.

Might 21, 2024 – Jennifer McCabe was once again at the stand, this time for a number of hours of contentious cross-examination by means of Alan Jackson. Nowadays marked the primary time Kearney’s “Turtleboy” website has been at once referenced. 

Jennifer McCabe stated protection lawyer Alan Jackson had put the guidelines out on social media, however Jackson stated he had no longer. “I am sorry. Turtleboy did,” the witness answered. Previous within the day, Jennifer McCabe referred to Kearney as “some named blogger that I feel the protection may be very aware of.”

Might 24, 2024 – Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent Brian Higgins was once at the stand. Prosecutors introduced “flirty” textual content messages he and Learn shared within the weeks main as much as O’Keefe’s dying. Protection lawyers have stated Higgins is certainly one of 3 males they declare will have been answerable for killing O’Keefe right through a battle.

Might 28, 2024 – Brian Higgins finished his testimony. Different witnesses had been referred to as, together with O’Keefe’s niece and nephew. They testified a few strained dating between Learn and O’Keefe. 

June 3, 2024 – Testimony desirous about damaged taillight items that had been discovered on the scene of O’Keefe’s dying.

June 5, 2024 – A number of movies had been performed that prosecutors say display Learn ingesting a lot of cocktails within the hours earlier than O’Keefe died. In addition they desirous about what they are saying was once a damaged taillight in Learn’s SUV. 

June 6, 2024 – Protection lawyer Alan Jackson advised journalists that Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who Learn’s lawyers have attempted to turn will have planted proof to assist pals who’re witnesses within the case, will take the stand as a witness for the prosecution. There were uncertainty when and the way Proctor would testify, as he’s indexed at the protection and prosecution’s witness lists. Proctor is lately underneath investigation by means of Massachusetts State Police for his behavior within the case, regardless that the particular explanation why isn’t recognized and he has denied wrongdoing. It isn’t but recognized when Proctor will take the stand.

The similar day as Jackson’s feedback, Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone advised jurors “I will safely say that you’re going to get this situation to your deliberation someday within the remaining week in June.”

June 10, 2024 – Cannone heard arguments from each side with out the jury provide in regards to the prosecution’s movement to exclude testimony from a witness who is anticipated to testify that scratches on O’Keefe’s arm had been in line with accidents from a canine assault. 

Trooper Proctor additionally took the stand that day, studying derogatory textual content messages he despatched to pals and associates about Learn whilst investigating the case.

June 12, 2024 – Proctor finished traumatic cross-examination and stepped down from the witness stand. All through his testimony, Proctor was once grilled over a textual content message he despatched about Learn pronouncing “expectantly she kills herself.”

June 14, 2024 – Testimony desirous about Learn’s SUV touring in opposite the evening of O’Keefe’s dying, in addition to the time of when Jennifer McCabe seek on Google how lengthy it could take an individual to die within the chilly.

June 20, 2024 – Prosecutors performed offended voicemails that Learn left for O’Keefe no longer lengthy after prosecutors say she hit and killed him.

Karen Learn homicide trial ends, deliberations start

June 21, 2024 – The prosecution rested its case and protection lawyers started calling witnesses. 

June 24, 2024 – The protection rested its case after calling its ultimate 3 witnesses. 

June 25, 2024 – Legal professionals introduced final arguments and jurors started deliberating.

June 26, 2024 – Day two of juror deliberations ended with no verdict after about seven hours. Whilst jurors deliberated, Learn’s lawyers query the decision slip, resulting in a traumatic second with Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone.

June 28, 2024 – Jurors despatched a observe to Pass judgement on Cannone, telling her they’re deadlocked. The pass judgement on answered that she didn’t imagine that they had deliberated lengthy sufficient, and requested them to proceed making an attempt to achieve a verdict. 

Mistrial declared in Karen Learn homicide trial

July 1, 2024 – The jury despatched every other observe to Pass judgement on Cannone, for a moment time telling her they’re not able to achieve a unanimous verdict. The jury stated they’re “deeply divided,” and Cannone requested them to go back for one ultimate spherical of deliberations. Later within the day, a mistrial was once declared because of the hung jury.

July 1, 2024 – Hours after the mistrial was once declared, Massachusetts State Police introduced that Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator within the case, has been “relieved of accountability.”

July 3, 2024 – In an unique interview with WBZ-TV, John O’Keefe’s brother addressed the mistrial.

Fallout from the Karen Learn trial

July 8, 2024 – Learn’s protection lawyers filed a movement to disregard for 2 fees. Within the submitting, they declare the jury unanimously agreed that Learn was once no longer responsible on the ones counts whilst being deadlocked on a 3rd price.

July 8, 2024 – Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor was once suspended with out pay following an obligation listening to.

July 9, 2024 – The union for Massachuestts State Police soldiers answered to the suspension, calling it “disappointing.”

July 9, 2024 – The Board of Selectmen introduced that Canton police officer Kevin Albert was once placed on depart associated with Proctor’s testimony right through the trial. 

July 10, 2024 – In a brand new courtroom submitting, Learn’s lawyers say every other juror advised them there was once a unanimous settlement that Learn was once no longer responsible on two counts.

July 12, 2024 – Prosecutors fired again on the protection’s try to get two of the 3 fees in opposition to Learn disregarded, pronouncing she consented to the mistrial.

July 18, 2024 –  An unnamed juror within the case stated in a courtroom submitting that they worry for his or her protection. 

July 22, 2024 – An nameless juror tells WBZ-TV that the jury did not know the way to keep up a correspondence to the pass judgement on that that they had unanimously agreed to acquit Learn of 2 fees. Pass judgement on Cannone units a brand new trial date for Jan. 27, 2025.  

August 9, 2024 – The case returned to courtroom for a dismissal listening to because the protection attempted to persuade the pass judgement on to throw out two fees in opposition to Learn. Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone took arguments into account, however didn’t make a ruling.

August 23, 2024 – Pass judgement on Cannone rejects Karen Learn’s try to get two of the fees in opposition to her disregarded. Learn’s lawyers plan to attraction.

Sep 11, 2024 – Karen Learn’s criminal workforce recordsdata an attraction to the Massachusetts Perfect Judicial Court docket.

September 12, 2024 – Canton police officer Kevin Albert, the brother of Brian Albert, is again at the process after being put on depart right through the trial.

September 18, 2024 – Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey appoints Particular Assistant District Lawyer Hank Brennan to steer the Commonwealth’s retrial of Karen Learn. 

September 20, 2024 – Karen Learn’s attraction of 2 fees can be heard by means of the complete panel of Massachusetts’ absolute best courtroom, however it will extend her trial.

September 23, 2024 – Self-discipline was once introduced for 2 folks attached to the Karen Learn investigation. Canton Police detective Kevin Albert was once suspended with out pay for 3 eight-hour shifts. An investigation discovered that the detective, whose brother Brian Albert owned the house the place John O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered, behaved in some way that was once unbecoming of a police officer and violated division insurance policies about alcohol intake or ownership at the process.

Massachusetts State Police introduced the similar day that Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, who was once one of the crucial lead investigators within the case, forfeited 5 holiday days following an inner affairs investigation. Bukhenik was once in one of the crucial workforce chats through which Trooper Michael Proctor despatched the irrelevant textual content messages.

October 17, 2024 – Massachusetts State Police say they spent $258,278.94 on safety for Karen Learn’s first trial.

October 18, 2024 – Prosecutors search telephone data from Karen Learn’s father. When her moment trial starts, prosecutors plan to name William Learn as a witness.

October 18, 2024 – Detective Lieutenant Brian Tully, the topic of an ongoing inner affairs investigation, was once transferred out of the Norfolk County District Lawyer’s Place of job. Tully testified right through Learn’s first trial.

October 28, 2024 – Legal professionals for Karen Learn desire a wrongful dying lawsuit in opposition to her to be behind schedule till after her moment prison trial, a topic they argued earlier than Pass judgement on William White, Jr. in Plymouth Awesome Court docket in Brockton.

October 29, 2024 – Vainness Truthful releases the first phase of its extremely expected Karen Learn interview. She advised the mag she owes no less than $5 million in criminal charges.

October 30, 2024 – The moment phase of Vainness Truthful’s interview with Karen Learn is launched. She responds to complaint from the O’Keefe circle of relatives, together with at once responding to quotes from Paul O’Keefe’s interview with WBZ-TV in July.

November 1, 2024 – The pass judgement on overseeing the wrongful dying lawsuit in opposition to Karen Learn regulations that she won’t must be deposed within the civil case till after her moment prison trial is over. 

Arrangements for Karen Learn’s moment trial

November 4, 2024 – The prosecution and protection groups filed a movement in courtroom calling for Learn’s moment prison trial, scheduled to start out on Jan. 27, 2025, to be postponed till April 1, 2025. 

November 6, 2024 – Learn’s try to get some prison fees in opposition to her thrown out at the grounds of double jeopardy got here earlier than the Massachusetts Perfect Judicial Court docket. Legal professionals for each side made their case right through the listening to. No determination has been introduced but.

November 7, 2024 – The Norfolk County District Lawyer’s Place of job requests the unredacted audio recordings, notes, and texts between Karen Learn and a Boston Mag reporter.

November 26, 2024 – All through an evidentiary listening to, prosecutors requested the pass judgement on so they can download telephone data for Karen Learn’s oldsters. The protection referred to as the request a “fishing expedition.” Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone didn’t rule at the request and took arguments underneath advisement.

November 29, 2024 – Pass judgement on Cannone rejects the prosecution’s request for the telephone data of Karen Learn’s oldsters.

December 3, 2024 – Prosecutors are asking Pass judgement on Cannone to stay knowledgeable testimony about an alleged canine assault out of Karen Learn’s moment trial.

December 5, 2024 – Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone licensed a request from prosecutors to get get admission to to unedited and off-the-record recordings from interviews with Karen Learn and her circle of relatives.

December 9, 2024 – After simply over a month, Pass judgement on Cannone licensed the joint movement by means of the protection and prosecution to extend the beginning of Karen Learn’s moment trial.

December 30, 2024 – Former Canton Police Leader Ken Berkowitz, who alerted Massachusetts State Police to taillight proof right through the investigation, died.

January 2, 2025 – Prosecutors requested to exclude testimony from protection knowledgeable Richard Inexperienced surrounding Jen McCabe’s “ho[w] lengthy to die in chilly” Google seek.

January 6, 2025 – In line with a courtroom submitting, Trooper Michael Proctor has a misconduct listening to scheduled for January 15.

January 15, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor’s misconduct listening to were given underway at Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham.

January 23, 2025 – Karen Learn’s criminal workforce needs the state to pay for shuttle bills for certainly one of her protection mavens. Learn’s lawyers say that the Canton Police Division didn’t keep video photos, however that was once no longer disclosed. In consequence, they are saying their knowledgeable wasted his time.

January 29, 2025 – John O’Keefe’s circle of relatives equipped a commentary to WBZ-TV as they marked 3 years since his dying. “It’s been 3 years since Johnny was once senselessly taken from us. The void in our lives grows with every passing day, week, month and 12 months. His absence is profound and we can proceed to hunt justice for him. He’s at all times in our hearts,” the O’Keefe circle of relatives stated.

February 6, 2025 – A listening to was once held within the case as lawyers mentioned attainable proof for Learn’s moment trial and who will have to need to pay for a protection knowledgeable who says he was once unsuccessfully in a position to research video from the Canton Police Division. Following the listening to, the pass judgement on dominated in opposition to the protection’s request to have the state pay for the knowledgeable.

February 10, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor was once again at Massachusetts State Police headquarters in Framingham for the second one day of testimony in his trial board listening to to resolve his skilled long run. The listening to was once no longer open to the general public. A 3rd listening to day was once scheduled for March 13. 

February 11, 2025 – The Massachusetts Perfect Judicial Court docket denied Learn’s attraction as she sought to have one of the most fees in opposition to her disregarded.

February 12, 2025 – Amongst over a dozen new filings within the case was once a request by means of the protection for unredacted paperwork from the investigation into the dying of Sandra Birchmore.

February 18, 2025 – Pass judgement on Cannone swiftly halted a listening to within the case after the prosecution raised issues about protection lawyers’ conversations with a crash reconstruction knowledgeable employed by means of the government.

February 20, 2025 – Pass judgement on Cannone problems a scheduling order that reads, partly, “Suggest will have to be ready to handle problems associated with the Defendant’s fresh manufacturing pursuant to Rule 14, particularly because the fabrics produced relate to prior representations made to the courtroom at the listing by means of protection suggest in regards to the ARCCA witnesses.”

February 24, 2025 – An individual briefed at the state of affairs tells WBZ it’s anticipated to be introduced at Karen Learn’s February 25 listening to {that a} federal investigation into the dying of John O’Keefe – and by means of affiliation, Karen Learn’s case – has ended and that no fees can be filed.

February 25, 2025 – At a traumatic listening to, Karen Learn’s lawyers defended their communications with a witness within the first trial. Karen Learn’s protection alleges “misdirections” by means of prosecution. 

February 25, 2025 – Following the listening to, supporters greeted Learn with vegetation outdoor the court on her forty fifth birthday.

February 28, 2025 – Karen Learn’s protection recordsdata a movement to disregard her complete case for causes of “unusual governmental misconduct.”

March 4, 2025 – Particular prosecutor Hank Brennan showed in courtroom that the federal investigation into John O’Keefe’s dying is over. Canton Police Leader Helena Rafferty later issued a commentary pronouncing the federal probe “is now not lively and can be closed.”

March 5, 2025 – The case was once the matter of 2 hearings in separate courthouses. Karen Learn appealed a contemporary determination by means of the Massachusetts Perfect Judicial Court docket at federal courtroom in South Boston. Learn and her lawyers then headed to Norfolk Awesome Court docket in Dedham the place her protection argued its not too long ago filed Movement to Push aside.

March 13, 2025 – Trooper Michael Proctor returned earlier than a Massachusetts State Police trial board for a 0.33 day. Proctor’s circle of relatives additionally launched a commentary, accusing Learn’s protection workforce of the use of the trooper to “deflect from the overpowering proof.”

March 13, 2025 – A federal pass judgement on denied Learn’s request to drop two fees in opposition to her, pronouncing Pass judgement on Cannone was once no longer flawed in pointing out a mistrial. 

March 18, 2025 – Pass judgement on Cannone admonished the protection workforce on Tuesday for “repeated misrepresentations” to the courtroom. In spite of the strict caution, Cannone didn’t take away any attorneys from the case.

March 19, 2025 – Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in Learn’s case, was once fired by means of Massachusetts State Police.

March 20, 2025 – For the primary time, Learn and Aidan Kearney, the blogger who writes underneath the title “Turtleboy” seemed right through a listening to in combination. Prosecutors are looking for messages between the 2, which Learn and her lawyers object to.

March 21, 2025 – Karen Learn’s lawyers requested a federal pass judgement on to extend the beginning of her subsequent trial, after the request was once rejected the day earlier than by means of Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone. The federal pass judgement on denied Learn’s request.

March 24, 2025 – Prosecutors are looking for messages between Karen Learn and her protection lawyer David Yannetti within the days following O’Keefe’s dying.

March 25, 2025 – As anticipated, Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone rejected the request for textual content messages between Learn and Yannetti right through the general pretrial listening to. Cannone additionally stated she expects jury variety to take a “very very long time.”

March 25, 2025 – Pass judgement on Cannone denied Karen Learn’s movement to disregard all the case in opposition to her, environment the degree for her moment high-profile trial to get underway.

March 26, 2025 – Karen Learn added a former juror from her first trial to her criminal workforce.  

March 27, 2025 – Karen Learn’s movement to stick state courtroom lawsuits pending attraction is denied by means of First Circuit Court docket of Appeals. The courtroom affirmed the decrease federal courtroom’s determination. 

March 31, 2025 – The protection might not be allowed guilty Colin Albert for John O’Keefe’s dying, Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone dominated.  

Karen Learn’s moment trial starts

April 1, 2025 – Karen Learn’s moment trial formally were given underway with jury variety.

April 2, 2025 – The jury for Karen Learn’s moment trial reached seven individuals. Learn’s supporters additionally filed a lawsuit in federal courtroom, arguing {that a} courtroom mandated buffer zone violates their constitutional rights. 

April 3, 2025 – Ten jurors were seated after 3 days of jury variety. 

April 3, 2025 – Karen Learn has appealed her case to the absolute best courtroom conceivable, the U.S. Perfect Court docket.

April 7, 2025 – Karen Learn is asking the U.S. Perfect Court docket to extend her state trial whilst they come to a decision if they’ll take in her attraction.

April 9, 2025 – Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson of the U.S. Perfect Court docket denied Karen Learn’s request to pause her trial. The Perfect Court docket will overview whether or not to take the case on April 25. Fifteen jurors were seated for the trial.

April 13, 2025 – A federal pass judgement on dominated in opposition to Learn’s supporters who sought after in an effort to protest nearer to the courthouse forward of her moment trial, pronouncing the buffer zone does no longer violate their constitutional rights.

April 15, 2025 – A jury was once seated for Karen Learn’s moment trial, with opening statements scheduled to happen in per week.  

April 16, 2025 – The ultimate movement listening to earlier than the beginning of the trial was once held. Arguments had been heard over subjects that incorporated federal ARCCA witnesses. Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney additionally stated thru his lawyer that he would plead the 5th Modification if referred to as as a witness, and prosecutors agreed to not name him.

April 22, 2025 – Legal professionals gave opening statements because the trial formally were given underway. The primary two witnesses had been also referred to as.

April 23, 2025 – John O’Keefe’s mom, Peggy O’Keefe, took the stand. It was once the primary time she has spoken out publicly since her son’s dying.

April 24, 2025 – Textual content messages between Karen Learn and John O’Keefe within the hours main as much as his dying had been learn at the 0.33 day of trial. 

April 25, 2025 – Jurors visited Brian Albert’s former house at 34 Fairview Street in Canton. The courtroom additionally heard from two witnesses: a paramedic who took Learn to the sanatorium the day that O’Keefe was once discovered useless, and a physician who examined her blood alcohol stage that morning.

April 28, 2025 – The USA Perfect Court docket introduced that it’s going to no longer pay attention Karen Learn’s attraction on grounds of double jeopardy.

April 28, 2025 – A part day of witness testimony desirous about Jen McCabe’s “how lengthy to die in chilly” Google seek and John O’Keefe’s actions the evening of his dying. Then protection crash reconstruction mavens had been puzzled with out the jury provide.

April 29, 2025 – Key witness Jen McCabe started her testimony. Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone issued a stern caution for cover lawyers, however allowed upcoming testimony from protection crash reconstruction mavens.

April 30, 2025 – Jen McCabe was once again at the stand for hours of traumatic cross-examination right through the 7th day of witness testimony.

Might 2, 2025 – Witness Jen McCabe finishes testimony after heated change with Learn’s protection lawyer. 

Might 5, 2025 – Canton firefighter-paramedic Katie McLaughlin testified that she heard Learn time and again say “I hit him” after O’Keefe’s frame was once discovered. Retired Canton Police Lt. Paul Gallagher testifies about responding to the scene, the use of a leaf blower to transport snow.

Might 6, 2025 – A number of witnesses took the stand at the tenth day of testimony. Jurors heard a number of offended voicemails that Karen Learn left for John O’Keefe within the early morning hours on January 29, 2022. 

Might 7, 2025 – Forensic knowledgeable Jessica Hyde, who analyzed Jennifer McCabe’s Google seek, and State Police trooper Connor Keefe testify. 

Might 8, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik took the stand to testify about proof assortment and the position of his former colleague Michael Proctor.

Might 9, 2025 – Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik learn textual content messages between Brian Higgins and Karen Learn.

Might 12, 2025 – After 3 complete days at the witness stand, Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik concluded his testimony. 

Might 13, 2025 – Court docket was once canceled for the day swiftly simply earlier than lawsuits had been scheduled to start as a result of Karen Learn was once in poor health.

Might 14, 2025 – Jurors pay attention from John O’Keefe’s niece, and crime scene technicians. 

Might 15, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police forensic scientist Maureen Hartnett and scientific examiner Dr. Irini Scordi-Bello testify.

Might 16, 2025 – Witness testimony from two Massachusetts State Police crime lab analysts, and a message from the pass judgement on to jurors about how they behavior themselves in courtroom. 

Might 19, 2025 – A forensic analyst for the prosecution testified in regards to the actions of Karen Learn’s Lexus SUV at the evening in query.

Might 20, 2025 – Karen Learn’s lawyer questions forensic analyst Shanon Burgess’ timeline of the evening John O’Keefe died.

Might 21, 2025 – Pass judgement on Beverly Cannone behind schedule the beginning of testimony, pronouncing she needed to query jurors in my opinion after a topic was once dropped at her consideration.

Might 27, 2025 – Judson Welcher, a prosecution coincidence reconstruction knowledgeable, took the stand for direct wondering.

Might 28, 2025 – Protection starts pass exam of crash reconstruction knowledgeable Judson Welcher.

Might 29, 2025 – The prosecution rested its case after Judson Welcher finished his testimony.

Might 30, 2025 – The first witness referred to as by means of protection lawyer Alan Jackson was once Matthew DiSogra, a virtual forensics knowledgeable who focuses on automobile information and crash reconstruction.

June 2, 2025 – Former Canton police officer Kelly Dever, Dr. Marie Russell, and a pal of former state police trooper Michael Proctor had been referred to as to the stand by means of Karen Learn’s protection workforce.

June 3, 2025 – All through a moment day of wondering of canine chew knowledgeable Dr. Marie Russell, the protection referred to as for a mistrial with prejudice, however was once denied. A Dighton police officer additionally testified about how he remembered seeing injury to Learn’s taillight in comparison to how it’s pictured hours later within the Canton Police Division storage.

June 4, 2025 – Snowplow driving force Brian “Fortunate” Loughran testified about no longer seeing a frame on Fairview Street in Canton at the evening O’Keefe died. Loughran was once cross-examined about how Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney’s protection will have influenced his testimony.

June 5, 2025 – Jurors had been given the day without work as a result of warmth. The pass judgement on stated fanatics and air-con devices would create noise and make witnesses exhausting to listen to.

June 6, 2025 – The one witness at the stand all day was once Daniel Wolfe, a crash reconstructionist for engineering consulting company ARCCA.

June 9, 2025 – The protection’s request for a mistrial was once denied. Legal professionals had accused the prosecution of a “stunt” when Hank Brennan requested Wolfe about holes in O’Keefe’s sweatshirt, and if they might were brought about by means of a fall backwards. Brennan later admitted he made a mistake, and the pass judgement on later gave jurors an instruction that the holes had been brought about by means of a criminologist. 

June 10, 2025 – The previous scientific examiner for Rhode Island testified, adopted by means of Dr. Andrew Rentschler, who’s the general protection witness. 

June 11, 2025 – Karen Learn’s protection rested its case after Rentschler completed attesting that during his opinion, John O’Keefe was once no longer hit by means of a car.

June 12, 2025 – The ultimate listening to earlier than final arguments was once held as lawyers and the pass judgement on met with out jurors provide. The protection stated it’s going to no longer be pursuing a third-party offender argument in opposition to Brian Albert and Brian Higgins, however can be specializing in the loss of a police investigation into Higgins.

June 13, 2025 – All sides introduced significantly other final arguments about how John O’Keefe died and what position Karen Learn performed in his dying. Jury deliberations started a short while later.

June 16, 2025 – Jurors had their first complete day of deliberations, however didn’t succeed in a verdict.

June 17, 2025 – On the second one complete day of deliberations, the Karen Learn jury got here again with 4 questions for the pass judgement on. One in every of them sought readability on what occurs if they comply with no longer responsible on two fees however are hung at the 0.33 price. Jurors later had been disregarded for the day with no verdict.

Verdict reached in Karen Learn trial

June 18, 2025 – Of their fourth day of deliberations, jurors acquitted Learn of second-degree homicide, manslaughter whilst working underneath the affect and leaving the scene of an coincidence leading to dying. She was once convicted of riding inebriated. Pass judgement on Cannone sentenced Learn to 1 12 months probation.

June 18, 2025 – A number of key prosecution witnesses who’re pals with the O’Keefe circle of relatives issued a commentary, calling the decision a “devastating miscarriage of justice.”

June 19, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police Col. Geoffrey Noble stated in a commentary that within the aftermath of the Karen Learn case, the dept will proceed to paintings on enhancements in oversight and responsibility.

June 19, 2025 – District Lawyer Michael Morrissey issued his first commentary at the verdict, pronouncing to WBZ-TV handiest, “The jury has spoken.”

June 19, 2025 – A juror within the trial speaks out about their determination to acquit Learn of probably the most critical fees. 

June 23, 2025 – Particular prosecutor Hank Brennan problems his first commentary because the trial ended. He was once “dissatisfied” within the verdict and condemned “witness abuse.”

June 24, 2025 – Karen Learn’s lead lawyer, Alan Jackson, responds to Brennan’s remarks, accusing the prosecutor of moral violations.

June 29, 2025 – Karen Learn and Alan Jackson are reportedly operating on a movie script and ebook.

July 7, 2025 – Massachusetts State Police reassign Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik from Norfolk County to an administrative position within the South Boston barracks. 

July 10, 2025 – Karen Learn filed a movement looking for to disregard the civil lawsuit filed in opposition to her by means of the O’Keefe circle of relatives.

July 10, 2025 – Boston police commissioner responds to Officer Kelly Dever’s testimony in Karen Learn trial.

July 10, 2025 – Data acquired by means of I-Workforce display particular prosecutor Hank Brennan was once paid $566,000 for Learn’s retrial.