Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive

Civil litigation

The four civil cases involving Karen Read

Four civil cases remain open: two against Read and two filed by Read.

Sources checked

Against Karen Read

O’Keefe family wrongful-death action

Paul O'Keefe Individually and Personal Rep of the Estate of John Joseph O'Keefe III et al. v. C&C Hospitality, LLC d/b/a C.F. McCarthy's et al.

John O'Keefe's family and estate allege that Read caused his death and that the two bars served her alcohol while she was visibly intoxicated. The defendants dispute the claims. The case is in discovery.

Court
Plymouth Superior Court
Docket
2483CV00692
Filed
Status
Open
Plaintiffs
Paul O'Keefe, individually and for John O'Keefe's estate; John O'Keefe II; Margaret O'Keefe; and Margaret O'Keefe as guardian of Kayley Furbush
Defendants
Karen Read; C&C Hospitality and G&S Hospitality, doing business as C.F. McCarthy's; and Waterfall Bar & Grill

Latest development

The court ordered the disputed letters impounded

After a Zoom hearing, Judge Mark Gildea found good cause to impound for 30 years the letters that are to be docketed, citing the privacy interests involved. The case remains open and in discovery.

What’s next

Discovery continues

The public docket lists no next court event.

Witnesses’ defamation action

McCabe, Jennifer et al. v. Read, Karen et al.

Four witnesses from the criminal trials allege that Read and Kearney defamed them through statements about the investigation and their alleged roles in events surrounding O’Keefe’s death. Both defendants deny liability.

Court
Plymouth Superior Court
Docket
2683CV00541
Filed
Status
Open
Plaintiffs
Jennifer McCabe, Brian Albert, Colin Albert, and Brian Higgins
Defendants
Karen Read and Aidan Kearney

Latest development

The two anti-SLAPP appeal records were assembled

After the court denied Read’s and Kearney’s anti-SLAPP motions on July 24, both appealed. On August 17, the Superior Court docket recorded assembly of both appeal records and notice to the Appeals Court. The trial judge separately denied their Rule 12(b)(6) dismissal motions on August 14.

What’s next

The interlocutory appeals proceed

No next Superior Court event is listed. The anti-SLAPP appeals move to the Massachusetts Appeals Court while the underlying action remains open.

Filed by Karen Read

Read’s federal civil-rights action

Read v. Proctor et al.

Read alleges civil-rights violations, malicious prosecution, conspiracy, and related claims arising from the investigation and prosecution. The defendants deny wrongdoing and have asked the court to dismiss the case.

Court
U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts
Docket
1:25-cv-13588-DJC
Filed
Status
Open
Plaintiff
Karen Read
Defendants
Michael Proctor, Brian Albert, Jennifer McCabe, Matthew McCabe, Nicole Albert, Brian Higgins, Yuri Bukhenik, and Brian Tully

Latest development

The court heard the operative dismissal motions

Judge Denise J. Casper heard argument on the pending motions to dismiss and took them under advisement. The docket feed shows no later entry as of the latest check.

What’s next

A ruling on the dismissal motions

No decision date is listed. The next material development is expected to be the court’s ruling or another order on the pending motions.

Read’s state agency action

Read, Karen v. Massachusetts State Police et al.

Read alleges that the Massachusetts State Police and Town of Canton committed misconduct connected to the investigation and prosecution. The action is separate from her federal case against individual investigators and witnesses.

Court
Bristol Superior Court
Docket
2673CV00489
Filed
Status
Open
Plaintiff
Karen Read
Defendants
Massachusetts State Police and Town of Canton

Latest development

Read filed an amended complaint

The amended complaint followed the Town of Canton’s July 27 notice of a motion to dismiss. The public docket shows no later filing or ruling.

What’s next

Response to the amended complaint or a court order

No next event is listed. The docket does not yet show a response to the amended pleading or a ruling on the Town’s dismissal request.

MassCourts links open the court search portal; select the listed court and search by docket number. This page records material developments rather than every administrative filing. See the full case timeline →