CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.
CNN
—
Is Karen Learn a rage-filled cop killer, or the handy patsy of an enormous police cover-up?
That’s the query put to a Massachusetts jury on Tuesday in closing arguments of her homicide trial in a case that has riveted the Bay State.
The case stems from the dying of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, whose physique was discovered bruised and battered within the snow on January 29, 2022, outdoors the house of a fellow Boston police officer within the suburb of Canton.
Prosecutors have alleged Learn and O’Keefe, who had been courting, had gotten into an argument that night time, and that she drunkenly drove a automobile into him and fled the scene, leaving him to die within the chilly.
“What the constellation of the information and the proof ineluctably display right here is that the defendant drove her automobile in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62.5 toes, struck Mr. O’Keefe, inflicting these catastrophic head accidents, leaving him incapacitated and freezing him to dying,” prosecutor Adam Lally stated in closing arguments Tuesday.
In distinction, her protection has accused off-duty police inside that Canton dwelling of fatally beating O’Keefe, dumping his physique on the garden after which conspiring via fabricated proof and false testimony to border Learn.
“Women and gents, there was a cover-up on this case, plain and easy,” protection lawyer Alan Jackson stated. “You’ll absolutely say to your self, ‘I don’t wish to consider it, I don’t wish to consider that would occur in our neighborhood,’ however sadly over these previous eight weeks you’ve seen it proper earlier than your eyes.”
Learn, 45, has pleaded not responsible to costs of second-degree homicide, vehicular manslaughter whereas intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision.
After closing arguments Tuesday morning, the jury started deliberations at about 1:30 p.m. and continued for about three hours. They’ll return on Wednesday morning.
The closing arguments characterize the top of a homicide trial that has garnered curiosity each native and widespread, together with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe into the investigation, and teams of pink-wearing supporters chanting to “Free Karen Learn.”
The prosecution’s case additionally has been hampered by a sequence of missteps and strange investigative practices. Most notably, a lead investigator within the case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, admitted that he despatched a sequence of sexist and offensive texts about Learn in a non-public group chat, calling her a “whack job,” mocking her medical points and commenting to coworkers that he had discovered “no nudes” whereas looking her telephone for proof, CNN affiliate WCVB reported.
Proctor apologized for the “unprofessional” feedback on the stand, however the vulgar texts have been sharply criticized out and in of court docket, together with from the governor.
“It’s fully unprofessional,” Gov. Maura Healey instructed WCVB of the texts. “It does hurt, frankly, to the dignity and the integrity of the work of women and men throughout the state police and regulation enforcement. In order a former lawyer basic and as governor, I’m disgusted by that.”
At closing arguments, the prosecution condemned the texts as “unprofessional, indefensible, (and) inexcusable” however stated that they had no impression on the integrity of the investigation.
The protection disagreed. “They can’t distance themselves from the stench of him on this case and this investigation. These secret group chats illustrate the standard and care of this investigation,” Jackson stated.
The center of the trial stems from what occurred on one wintry night in Canton over two years in the past.
On the night time of January 28, 2022, Learn and O’Keefe went out ingesting at two bars with pals. Shortly after midnight, the couple climbed into Learn’s SUV and drove to the house of O’Keefe’s colleague on Fairview Highway for an after-party, court docket paperwork present.
The prosecution alleged that the couple acquired into an argument that led to O’Keefe getting out of the automobile. A drunken Learn then struck him with the automobile and fled, leaving him to die within the snowy chilly, prosecutors say.
Nevertheless, Learn has stated she dropped off O’Keefe on the home after which drove to his dwelling as a result of she wasn’t feeling nicely, in line with court docket paperwork. The following morning, when she realized he was nonetheless not dwelling, she drove in a snowstorm to search for him, and eventually discovered his physique within the entrance yard of the Canton home.
Learn and her authorized staff have alleged O’Keefe was injured in a battle inside the home – together with being mauled by the owners’ German shepherd, Chloe – after which tossed out within the snow. They argued that Learn was framed for his dying and alleged an enormous cop conspiracy and a corrupt investigation.
Prosecutors have rejected that concept. Firefighters who responded to the scene that morning requested about his accidents, and Learn instructed them, “I hit him, I hit him,” in line with their testimony. As well as, Learn’s automobile had a damaged taillight, and items of the taillight had been discovered outdoors the Canton dwelling, prosecutors stated.
“From all of these individuals inside that home that night, none of them at any time limit noticed John O’Keefe come into that home,” Lally stated in opening statements. “They noticed the automobile draw back they usually simply assumed that they (O’Keefe and Learn) left and that nobody was coming.”
The trial started in April and featured testimony from a number of regulation enforcement officers, with some as witnesses and others as investigators.
The prosecution has offered proof that Learn and O’Keefe had a risky relationship. O’Keefe’s niece and nephew stated they heard the couple yelling in arguments previous to his dying, and an ATF agent testified about his romantic kiss and textual content messages with Learn, in line with WCVB.
Additional, within the minutes after prosecutors say she hit him with the SUV, she known as his telephone and left a voicemail yelling, “John, I f**king hate you!”
The protection has sharply questioned witnesses about whether or not Learn actually confessed to hitting him together with her automobile and have challenged investigators concerning the high quality of their work. For instance, investigators used purple plastic cups to gather proof from the scene, and surveillance video of Learn’s automobile was inexplicably flipped to a mirror picture, WCVB reported.
“Lie, obfuscate, manipulate, alter, and once they’re caught, they simply excuse it away,” Jackson stated in closing arguments.
“That’s not sloppiness,” he added. “That’s proof manipulation.”
Aidan Kearney, a Massachusetts blogger nicknamed Turtleboy, has fed the continuing debate with quite a few posts alleging a homicide coverup by regulation enforcement and native politicians. In October, Kearney pleaded not responsible to costs of witness intimidation and conspiracy, CNN affiliate WBZ reported, after he allegedly known as and despatched messages to witnesses and investigators in Learn’s case.