Karen Read, Carlos Dominguez, Stacey Drake, and Michael Davis Face Murder Trials Across Four States

Murder trials are underway in several states, including Massachusetts, California, Oklahoma, and Alabama.

In Massachusetts, Karen Read is on trial for the second time for the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found outside a home in Canton during a snowstorm with 27 inches of snow. Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder and other charges. Testimony included a paramedic stating that Read said, 'I hit him, I hit him,' at the scene, and jurors heard profanity-laced voicemails left by Read for O’Keefe hours before his death. Retired Canton police Lt. Paul Gallagher testified about using a leaf blower and Solo cups to collect evidence, and noted that only a broken cocktail glass and blood spots were found at the scene. No search warrant was sought for the house. The prosecution alleges Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV, while the defense claims he was beaten inside the home, bitten by a dog, and then left outside. The presiding judge, Beverly J. Cannone, has barred references to the Sandra Birchmore investigation unless it becomes relevant. A federal investigation into the case concluded without charges against police.

In California, Carlos Dominguez is facing trial for a series of stabbings in Davis in 2023. Prosecutors presented graphic images and video evidence of the victims, David Breaux and Karim Abou Najm, who suffered 31 and 52 stab wounds, respectively. Testimony included accounts from law enforcement, a paramedic, and a survivor. Prosecutors allege Dominguez, a former UC Davis student and immigrant from El Salvador, purchased a dirk from Amazon and that DNA evidence links him to the crime scenes. The defense noted Dominguez's struggle with schizophrenia. Dominguez has pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The trial, expected to last 10 weeks with 12 jurors, will not seek the death penalty if convicted.

In Oklahoma, Stacey Drake is on trial for the alleged murders of four people across Oklahoma and Alabama in 2024. Drake, who was the subject of a manhunt last summer, is accused of killing Russell Andrews in Alabama and three others—Phillip Emerson, Tara Underwood, and Taylor Sharp—in Oklahoma. Investigators believe Drake met some victims through Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. A judge ruled there is sufficient evidence for the case to proceed to trial, with arraignment set for July.

In Alabama, Michael Davis is on trial for capital murder in the shooting death of Jamea Harris in Tuscaloosa in January 2023. Davis, along with former Alabama basketball player Darius Miles, is charged in the incident. Testimony has focused on whether the shooting was an act of self-defense or an ambush, with witnesses recalling the events leading up to the shooting and both prosecution and defense presenting differing accounts.