Boston, MA

Boston prosecutors ask state supreme court for Karen Read murder retrial

Published

18 mins ago

October 17, 2024

Boston prosecutors ask state supreme court for Karen Read murder retrial

Prosecutors have called on the state’s highest court to allow them to retry Karen Read for murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, arguing against defense claims that jurors had reached a verdict against some of her charges before the judge declared a mistrial.

Read is accused of ramming into John O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm in January 2022. Read’s attorneys argue she is being framed and that other law enforcement officers are responsible for O’Keefe’s death. A judge declared a mistrial in June after finding that jurors could not reach agreement. A retrial on the same charges is set to begin in January.

In a brief filed late on Wednesday to the Massachusetts supreme judicial court, prosecutors wrote that there was no basis for dismissing the charges of second degree murder and leaving the scene of the accident.

There was “no viable alternative to a mistrial”, they argued in the brief, noting that the jury said three times that it was deadlocked before a mistrial was declared. Prosecutors said the “defendant was afforded a meaningful opportunity to be heard on any purported alternative.

“The defendant was not acquitted of any charge because the jury did not return, announce, and affirm any open and public verdicts of acquittal,” they wrote. “That requirement is not a mere formalism, ministerial act, or empty technicality. It is a fundamental safeguard that ensures no juror’s position is mistaken, misrepresented, or coerced by other jurors.”

In the defense brief filed in September, Read’s lawyers said five of the 12 jurors came forward after her mistrial saying they were deadlocked only on a manslaughter count, and they had agreed unanimously – without telling the judge – that she was not guilty on the other counts. They argued that it would be unconstitutional double jeopardy to try her again on the counts of murder and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

Oral arguments will be heard from both sides on 6 November.

In August, the trial judge ruled that Read could be retried on all three counts. “Where there was no verdict announced in open court here, retrial of the defendant does not violate the principle of double jeopardy,” the judge Beverly Cannone wrote.

Read’s attorney, Martin Weinberg, argued that under Cannone’s reasoning, even if all 12 jurors were to swear in affidavits that they reached a final and unanimous decision to acquit, this would not be sufficient for a double jeopardy challenge. “Surely, that cannot be the law. Indeed, it must not be the law,” Weinberg wrote.

The American Civil Liberties Union supported the defense in an amicus brief. If the justices do not dismiss the charges, the ACLU said the court should at least “prevent the potential for injustice by ordering the trial court to conduct an evidentiary hearing and determine whether the jury in her first trial agreed to acquit her on any count”.

“The trial court had a clear path to avoid an erroneous mistrial: simply ask the jurors to confirm whether a verdict had been reached on any count,” the ACLU wrote in its brief. “Asking those questions before declaring a mistrial is permitted – even encouraged – by Massachusetts rules. Such polling serves to ensure a jury’s views are accurately conveyed to the court, the parties, and the community – and that defendants’ related trial rights are secure.”

Prosecutors said Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, and O’Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police, had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow Boston officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away. An autopsy found O’Keefe had died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

The defense portrayed Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually killed inside Albert’s home and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects.

The lead investigator, the state trooper Michael Proctor, was relieved of duty after the trial revealed he had sent vulgar texts to colleagues and family, calling Read a “whack job” and telling his sister he wished Read would “kill herself”. He said his emotions had got the better of him.

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Boston, MA

How to Watch Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Time, TV Channel, Live Stream – October 17, 2024

Published

8 hours ago

October 17, 2024

Press Room

Data Skrive

Bhayshul Tuten will lead the Virginia Tech Hokies (3-3) into their battle versus the Boston College Eagles (4-2) at Lane Stadium on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. ET.

The game is on ESPN, if you’re looking for how to watch.

Keep up with college football all season on FOX Sports.

Yankees vs. Guardians ALCS Game 3 Preview: Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz | MLB on FOX

Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and David Ortiz previewed the Game 3 matchup in the ALCS between the New York Yankees and Cleveland Guardians.

Learn more about the Virginia Tech Hokies and the Boston College Eagles.

How to Watch Virginia Tech vs. Boston College

When: Thursday, October 17, 2024 at 7:30 p.m. ET
Location: Lane Stadium in Blacksburg, Virginia
Live Box Score: FOX Sports

Virginia Tech vs. Boston College: Head to Head

In the past two meetings, Virginia Tech holds a 2-0 record against Boston College.
The Hokies’ record ATS is 2-0 in the last two times they have gone up against the Eagles while the scoring has gone over the total on one occasion.
Boston College has scored 43 fewer points than Virginia Tech in their past two games.

Virginia Tech’s 2024 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
8/31/2024	at Vanderbilt	L 34-27
9/7/2024	vs. Marshall	W 31-14
9/14/2024	at Old Dominion	W 37-17
9/21/2024	vs. Rutgers	L 26-23
9/27/2024	at Miami (FL)	L 38-34
10/5/2024	at Stanford	W 31-7
10/17/2024	vs. Boston College	–
10/26/2024	vs. Georgia Tech	–
11/2/2024	at Syracuse	–
11/9/2024	vs. Clemson	–
11/23/2024	at Duke	–
11/30/2024	vs. Virginia	–

Virginia Tech 2024 Stats & Insights

Offensively, Virginia Tech ranks 82nd in the FBS with 375.2 yards per game. Meanwhile, its defense ranks 65th in total defense (355 yards allowed per contest).
Virginia Tech is averaging 192.3 passing yards per game on offense (101st in the FBS), and ranks 28th on defense with 184.2 passing yards allowed per game.
The Hokies rank 54th in scoring offense (30.5 points per game) and 60th in scoring defense (22.7 points allowed per game) this year.
The Hokies are putting up 182.8 rushing yards per game offensively this season (47th in the FBS), and they are giving up 170.8 rushing yards per game (100th) on the defensive side of the ball.
Virginia Tech is posting a 45.3% third-down conversion rate on offense, which ranks them 36th in the FBS. On defense, the defense ranks 82nd, surrendering a 40.2% third-down conversion rate.
The Hokies rank 35th in college football with a +3 turnover margin after forcing 9 turnovers (45th in the FBS) while committing six (31st in the FBS).

Virginia Tech 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Bhayshul Tuten	RB	605 YDS / 9 TD / 100.8 YPG / 5.7 YPC 15 REC / 31 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 6.2 REC YPG
Kyron Drones	QB	1,155 YDS (61%) / 8 TD / 4 INT 278 RUSH YDS / 3 RUSH TD / 46.3 RUSH YPG
Jaylin Lane	WR	24 REC / 325 YDS / 1 TD / 54.2 YPG
Stephen Gosnell	WR	15 REC / 276 YDS / 1 TD / 46 YPG
Antwaun Powell	DL	21 TKL / 4 TFL / 6.5 SACK
Mose Phillips III	DB	33 TKL / 1 TFL / 1 SACK / 1 INT
Caleb Woodson	LB	23 TKL / 3 TFL / 2 SACK
Aeneas Peebles	DL	16 TKL / 4 TFL / 3 SACK

Boston College’s 2024 Schedule

Date	Opponent	Score
9/2/2024	at Florida State	W 28-13
9/7/2024	vs. Duquesne	W 56-0
9/14/2024	at Missouri	L 27-21
9/21/2024	vs. Michigan State	W 23-19
9/28/2024	vs. Western Kentucky	W 21-20
10/5/2024	at Virginia	L 24-14
10/17/2024	at Virginia Tech	–
10/25/2024	vs. Louisville	–
11/9/2024	vs. Syracuse	–
11/16/2024	at SMU	–
11/23/2024	vs. North Carolina	–
11/30/2024	vs. Pittsburgh	–

Boston College 2024 Stats & Insights

In terms of total offense, Boston College ranks 97th in the FBS (353.3 total yards per game) and 35th on defense (321.7 total yards allowed per game).
Boston College is posting 195.7 passing yards per game on offense this season (98th-ranked). Meanwhile, it is surrendering 217 passing yards per game (71st-ranked) on defense.
The Eagles rank 79th in the FBS with 27.2 points per contest, but they’ve been lifted up by their defense, which ranks 20th-best by giving up only 17.2 points per contest.
The Eagles’ run defense has been leading the way for the team, as they rank 25th-best in the FBS with 104.7 rushing yards conceded per game. In terms of offense, they are compiling 157.7 rushing yards per game, which ranks 70th.
Boston College’s third-down defense ranks 63rd in the FBS with a 37.6% third-down conversion rate given up, but it has been lifted up by its offense, which ranks 25th-best by posting a 46.8% third-down rate.
The Eagles sport a +1 turnover margin this season, which ranks 57th in the FBS.

Boston College 2024 Key Players

Name	Position	Stats
Thomas Castellanos	QB	983 YDS (67%) / 12 TD / 4 INT 103 RUSH YDS / 1 RUSH TD / 17.2 RUSH YPG
Treshaun Ward	RB	283 YDS / 2 TD / 47.2 YPG / 5.7 YPC 8 REC / 141 REC YDS / 2 REC TD / 28.2 REC YPG
Lewis Bond	WR	30 REC / 358 YDS / 2 TD / 59.7 YPG
Kye Robichaux	RB	204 YDS / 2 TD / 34 YPG / 3.8 YPC 2 REC / 10 REC YDS / 1 REC TD / 2 REC YPG
Donovan Ezeiruaku	DL	41 TKL / 10 TFL / 8 SACK
Carter Davis	DB	25 TKL / 0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
Kam Arnold	LB	33 TKL / 0 TFL / 1 INT / 1 PD
KP Price	DB	36 TKL / 1 TFL

FOX Sports created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.

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Boston, MA

Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins FREE LIVE STREAM (10/16/24): Watch NHL online | Time, TV, channel for regular season

Published

15 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Press Room

Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins FREE LIVE STREAM (10/16/24): Watch NHL online | Time, TV, channel for regular season

The Colorado Avalanche face the Boston Bruins at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado, on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 (10/16/24).

How to watch: Fans can watch the match via a free trial to DirecTVStream or via a subscription to SlingTV.

Here’s what you need to know:

What: NHL regular season

Who: Colorado Avalanche vs. Boston Bruins

When: Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024

Time: 9:30 p.m. ET

Where: Ball Arena

TV: TNT

Channel finder: Verizon Fios, AT&T U-verse, Comcast Xfinity, Spectrum/Charter, Optimum/Altice,Cox, DIRECTV, Dish, Hulu, fuboTV, Sling.

Live stream: DirecTVStream

Here’s a recent AP NHL story

DENVER (AP) — The banged-up Colorado Avalanche will be without another forward in Jonathan Drouin due to an upper-body injury.

Drouin’s expected to miss at least two games before his injury is reassessed. The 29-year-old left winger didn’t have a shot on goal in more than 21 minutes of ice time during a season-opening 8-4 loss at Vegas on Wednesday.

His absence is a big offensive blow for a team that’s already missing forwards Gabriel Landeskog (knee) and Artturi Lehkonen (shoulder). Another forward, Valeri Nichushkin, is serving a suspension that’s in effect until at least mid-November.

“Obviously, every guy that’s missing makes the job more difficult,” coach Jared Bednar said after practice Friday as his team prepares for its home opener against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. “But it forces our team to dig in on the details and the commitment side of the game right away.

“We said it going in — we have to expect that everyone in our lineup has to be on top of their game, not just be in a role, but driving that role in order to have success. That’s a little bit of pressure right out of the gate.”

The Avalanche added another goaltender Friday by claiming Kaapo Kahkonen off waivers from the Winnipeg Jets. This comes on the heels of a rough outing from Alexandar Georgiev, who allowed five goals on 16 shots against the Golden Knights, and Justus Annunen, who surrendered two goals on four shots.

The 28-year-old Kahkonen spent last season with the San Jose Sharks and New Jersey Devils, compiling a 7-24-3 mark. He will join the Avalanche organization once he clears immigration.

Kahkonen is 49-67-15 with a 3.33 goals-against average since entering the NHL in 2019-20.

“We’ve seen better from our goalies than we’ve seen here recently, and if they can elevate their game, great,” Bednar said. “And if Kahkonen and can come in and play well, great. It’s about winning hockey games. If we can get incrementally better in any position, we’ll try and do it, especially when there’s low risk involved.”

Mikko Rantanen, fresh off a hat trick to start the season, was pleased to see the team pick up Kahkonen, another player from Finland.

“I know him pretty well. He’s my age, from Finland — a pretty small country, so I basically know everybody,” Rantanen cracked. “I don’t know everybody, but (as) hockey players you know a little bit about everybody. We skated together in the summers, and we won the World Juniors together. It’s good to have him. He’s a good goalie.”

Rantanen said after practice there have been no developments on the contract-extension front. He’s in the final year of his deal.

“Like I said before, it’s done when it’s done,” Rantanen said. “We’ll see what happens with that. I just try to focus on the ice.”

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Cayden Steele may be reached at CSteele@njadvancemedia.com.

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Boston, MA

NWSL Boston ‘missed the mark’ on marketing campaign

Published

23 hours ago

October 16, 2024

Press Room

NWSL Boston ‘missed the mark’ on marketing campaign

BOS Nation Football Club — Boston’s NWSL expansion team — faced a slew of backlash on social media after the name and marketing campaign were revealed on Tuesday.

There was a lot of criticism about the social media video titled “Too Many Balls” because it pointed out the success of men’s sports and that it’s now time for a women’s team to be in the spotlight. However, in BOS Nation’s social media video, the Boston Fleet — Boston’s PWHL team — was left out.

The club released a statement on Wednesday admitting they “missed the mark.”

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“While we had hoped to create a bold and buzzworthy brand launch campaign, we missed the mark. We fully acknowledge that the content of the campaign did not reflect the safe and welcoming environment we strive to create for all, and we apologize to the LGBTQ+ community and to the trans community in particular for the hurt we caused

“We are proud to be part of the most inclusive sports league in the world and are committed to upholding the unifying values that define the NWSL and our club. Thank you to all who have held us accountable by calling for us to do better. We hear you and we will, together.”

As of Wednesday afternoon, the video remained up on the official X account. Though the same video appears to be edited on the team’s Instagram and TikTok accounts.

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