The jury questionnaire is out for the Karen Read case before scores of prospective jurors are called for the high-profile Canton case this week.
After Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial last year, the retrial is set to start on Tuesday.
It could take quite a while to empanel jurors as it’s hard to escape the Read murder case coverage in the news, on social media, and while talking with friends and family.
Much of the juror questionnaire asks whether the person has knowledge of the case and where they have learned about the case: TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, internet, social media, podcasts, family, friends, observations in the community, and overheard discussions.
“What is your familiarity with the case prior to today?” the questionnaire reads. “Have you had discussions about this case prior to today?”
“Is there any reason you would be unable to follow an instruction that during your jury service, you may
not: read any news or media accounts about this case, watch or listen to any media or news broadcasts or
commentary about this case, discuss this case with anyone, research or look this case up on the internet,
or perform independent research?” the jurors will be asked.
The questionnaire also gives a quick summary of the allegations against Read.
“It is alleged that on January 29, 2022, while intoxicated and operating her motor vehicle in Canton, MA, the defendant, Karen Read, killed her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, an off-duty Boston Police officer. Is there anything
about the description of the case, the charges, or that the victim was an off-duty police officer, that causes you to believe that you cannot be fair and impartial in this case?” the questionnaire asks.
Prospective jurors will be informed that it’s a highly scrutinized trial.
“This case is expected to garner a significant amount of media attention. Is there anything about the high-profile nature of this case that would prevent you from serving as a fair and impartial juror?” the questionnaire asks.
They’ll be asked about their support for law enforcement, as well as their views related to driving while drunk.
“Has anyone close to you ever been involved in an incident involving drinking and driving? If so, would that experience prevent you from being a fair and impartial juror in this case?”
They’ll be informed about the video cameras in the courtroom.
“Do you have any concerns about your personal privacy due to the presence of video cameras in the courtroom and/or the highly publicized nature of the case?”
