Who is Karen Read, the glamorous girlfriend dubbed America's 'happiest murder defendant' as she's accused of killing her cop boyfriend in drunken hit-and-run

Karen Read, dubbed America's 'happiest murder defendant,' has found herself at the center of a high-profile case after being accused of killing her cop boyfriend in drunken hit-and-run. Read, a financial analyst and college professor, is facing charges of second-degree murder, as prosecutors say she drunkenly drove over Boston police officer John O'Keefe in January 29, 2022 Amid intense media scrutiny and large demonstrations surrounding her hearings, public opinion on Read's innocence is split - with some calling to 'free her' and others accusing her of being a villainous murderer Read and O'Keefe had been out drinking on the night of his death, before she drove him to an afterparty while she went home to sleep. As her trial began this week, Read received a slew of support from true crime fans and locals who have been camped outside the courthouse with signs reading 'Free Karen Read' This week, a judge to issue an order barring Read's supporters from coming within 200 feet of the courthouse Read has an army of supporters after the case, and Read's claims of a wide-ranging conspiracy against her, whipped up intense speculation online Matthew Pervier of Worcester with a sign he made to support Read 'She will fight this injustice as long as it takes, and our family and friends will be there every step of the way,' her father, William Read, told the Boston Globe. Jury selection begins on Tuesday at the Norfolk Superior Court, south of Boston, where Read faces second-degree murder and manslaughter charges Karen Read, center and her lawyer Alan Jackson pass through a gauntlet of supporters en route to court Read's defense is led by Alan Jackson, the high-powered lawyer who secured disgraced actor Kevin Spacey's acquittal of sexual assault charges Read sparked backlash on Tuesday after being filmed winking at a camera, with one critic slamming her for 'thinking she is Miss America' However, more recent interactions with neighbors in Mansfield, where Read relocated from Boston before the pandemic, were reportedly less friendly. Karen Read at her final pretrial hearing on April 12 at Norfolk Superior Court Karen Read, 44, is standing trial accused of murdering her Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe with her car in January 2022 Read has come under scrutiny for a perceived flippant attitude in court, including winking at cameras and snacking during proceedings While Read's upbringing was marked by her outgoing personality and academic achievements, according to a report by The Boston Globe, interactions with neighbors in recent years were less amicable, as detailed in police reports 'I admired that.