Karen Read murder trial: Three things to know now that the prosecution has rested

Prosecutors retrying Karen Read in the widely publicized death of her boyfriend three years ago rested their case Thursday. The defense is expected to begin making its case Friday.

After six weeks and dozens of witnesses, Massachusetts prosecutors retrying Karen Read on a murder charge in the widely publicized death of her boyfriend three years ago rested their case Thursday.

While the theory put forward by special prosecutor Hank Brennan was the same as that offered by the assistant district attorney who previously tried the case — Read, drunk and angry, struck Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV and left him for dead on Jan. 29, 2022 — there were some notable changes from Read's first trial, which ended with a hung jury last summer.

Absent were two high-profile witnesses who were key to the defense’s claims that Read was framed. Also missing was the former Massachusetts state trooper who led the investigation into O’Keefe’s death and was fired after revelations of misconduct emerged in the first trial.

Another notable change was the role of Read, who has maintained her innocence, herself. In addition to her remarks to reporters outside the courtroom, her words have been a regular presence in Brennan’s presentation, which has featured a series of interview clips that show what Brennan has described as Read's “campaign” of public statements.

Read’s lawyers are expected to begin making their case Friday.