November 24, 2025 • 6 mins
The wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read is currently experiencing setbacks as she has initiated a separate lawsuit in another county.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Crime Alard hourly update, breaking crime news Now, I'm Nicole Pardon.
The wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Reid is currently experiencing
setbacks as she has initiated a separate lawsuit in another county.
Reid was found not guilty of second degree murder in
connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer
(00:20):
John O'Keeffe. Prosecutors alleged that she struck him with her
lexus and left him to die in the elements after
a night of drinking. O'Keefe's body was discovered on the
front lawn of a fellow officer's home in Canton during
a snowstorm in the early hours of January twenty nine,
twenty twenty two. Despite her acquittal on criminal charges, O'Keeffe's
(00:42):
family has launched a civil lawsuit against Reed, claiming she
is liable for his wrongful death and the emotional distress
it caused. The lawsuit also names two bars where O'Keefe
and their friends had been drinking shortly before his death.
Reed has consistently asserted her innocence regarding O'Keeffe's death and
(01:03):
has pointed fingers at the individuals inside the Canton residence
where he died, whom she claims are responsible for his death.
At a hearing in September, her attorney indicated plans to
include additional defendants in the lawsuit, specifically former trooper Michael
Proctor and the group of friends present at the house,
(01:23):
including the Albert and mccab families, as well as Brian Higgins,
who testified during Reed's criminal trials. Of course, we hoped
for resolution months ago, said Mark Dillar, the attorney representing
O'Keeffe's family, during a hearing on Friday. Regrettably, it was
only on Monday night that the defendants changed their approach
and withdrew their motion. Instead of expanding the wrongful death lawsuit,
(01:48):
Reid opted to file her own action in a different county,
targeting the so called house defendants along with the investigators
and agencies that she claimed conspired against her. Although O'Keefe's
lawsuit is filed in Plymouth County and reads in Bristol County,
Dealer suggested combining the discovery process for both cases to
(02:09):
minimize bias and enhance efficiency. However, not all defendants in
Reed's lawsuit have been served complicating matters during the meeting.
Tensions flared when one of Reed's lawyers, Charles Waters, accused
Dillar of reading from a prepared statement off camera. I'm
not sure what he's referring to to be honest, Waters responded,
Karen's statements have remained consistent with the lawsuit filed in Bristol.
(02:34):
Judge Mark Gildea acknowledged that while there may be overlapping
discovery between the two cases, further delays could arise if
the defendants in the Bristol County case chose to file
a motion to dismiss. He scheduled the next court appearance
for December nineteen, when the status of the discovery will
be discussed. For now, it's O'Keefe versus Reed again for
(02:57):
Crime and Justice News after this, A thirty four year
old woman from Wisconsin has been sentenced to life in
prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal beating
of her boyfriend six year old son, resulting in severe
injuries and ultimately his death. Anita Burks was found guilty
(03:20):
in October a first degree reckless homicide, child neglect leading
to death, and repeated acts of physical abuse against a
child at the time of his death. Burks was the
primary caregiver for Zane Adams. On July twenty one, twenty four,
she brought him to a nearby hospital, where surveillance footage
revealed that he was unable to walk and appeared barely conscious.
(03:43):
At one point, Burks was seen dragging him into the
emergency room by his shoulder. After he collapsed, Medical professionals
discovered extensive bruising all over Zane's body, including his face,
his limbs, his genitals, and later he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed that he died from severe blood forced trauma,
(04:04):
suffering from multiple cuts, contusions, and broken ribs, with a
dangerously low body core temperature of below ninety degrees. Burkes
could not provide a reasonable explanation for the boy's injuries,
claiming instead that he had vomited after eating eggs and
that he had behavior issues. She was responsible for Zaane's
(04:25):
care while his father was incarcerated for an unrelated matter.
Burks also had a troubling history of child abuse, having
previously served three years in prison for pouring hot water
on a ten month old child. Zaye's tragic death devastated
his family. His grandmother, Yvette Adams expressed her anguish in
interviews at court, calling Burke's actions inhumane and labeling her
(04:49):
a monster. She shared the deep pain of losing a grandson,
saying she ripped my heart away. I'm hurt deep to
my soul those in the family, Jena, how could this
woman be allowed to keep a child when she was
just released from prison for hurting another. Police in Indiana
are asking for the public's help and locating a missing teen.
(05:13):
The Fort Wayne Police Department issued a public safety alert
on Sunday nights, saying they are searching for the teen
on the city's south side. The disappearance of the girl
has resulted in a state wide silver alert. Police are
searching for fifteen year old Eliyah de Philippo, who was
last seen in the area of the fifty two hundred
block of Harrison Street, near the intersection of South Calhoun
(05:36):
and Fairfax Avenue. The alert was sent to cell phones
in the surrounding areas around seven thirty pm. Also, an
additional alert was sent out around nine pm. De Philippo
is five feet tall, weighing about one hundred and ten pounds.
She has brown eyes, brown hair, and braces. She is
Hispanic She was last seen wearing a black tank top,
(05:57):
black and red pajama pants, earrings, and could be carrying
a blanket that was in her possession at the time
of her disappearance. If you see someone matching her description,
you are asked to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department
at two six zero four two seven one two two two.
For the latest crime injustice news. Follow Crime Alert hourly
(06:18):
update on your favorite podcasting app with this crime Alert.
I'm Nicole Parton.
Crime Alard hourly update, breaking crime news Now, I'm Nicole Pardon.
The wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Reid is currently experiencing
setbacks as she has initiated a separate lawsuit in another county.
Reid was found not guilty of second degree murder in
connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer
(00:20):
John O'Keeffe. Prosecutors alleged that she struck him with her
lexus and left him to die in the elements after
a night of drinking. O'Keefe's body was discovered on the
front lawn of a fellow officer's home in Canton during
a snowstorm in the early hours of January twenty nine,
twenty twenty two. Despite her acquittal on criminal charges, O'Keeffe's
(00:42):
family has launched a civil lawsuit against Reed, claiming she
is liable for his wrongful death and the emotional distress
it caused. The lawsuit also names two bars where O'Keefe
and their friends had been drinking shortly before his death.
Reed has consistently asserted her innocence regarding O'Keeffe's death and
(01:03):
has pointed fingers at the individuals inside the Canton residence
where he died, whom she claims are responsible for his death.
At a hearing in September, her attorney indicated plans to
include additional defendants in the lawsuit, specifically former trooper Michael
Proctor and the group of friends present at the house,
(01:23):
including the Albert and mccab families, as well as Brian Higgins,
who testified during Reed's criminal trials. Of course, we hoped
for resolution months ago, said Mark Dillar, the attorney representing
O'Keeffe's family, during a hearing on Friday. Regrettably, it was
only on Monday night that the defendants changed their approach
and withdrew their motion. Instead of expanding the wrongful death lawsuit,
(01:48):
Reid opted to file her own action in a different county,
targeting the so called house defendants along with the investigators
and agencies that she claimed conspired against her. Although O'Keefe's
lawsuit is filed in Plymouth County and reads in Bristol County,
Dealer suggested combining the discovery process for both cases to
(02:09):
minimize bias and enhance efficiency. However, not all defendants in
Reed's lawsuit have been served complicating matters during the meeting.
Tensions flared when one of Reed's lawyers, Charles Waters, accused
Dillar of reading from a prepared statement off camera. I'm
not sure what he's referring to to be honest, Waters responded,
Karen's statements have remained consistent with the lawsuit filed in Bristol.
(02:34):
Judge Mark Gildea acknowledged that while there may be overlapping
discovery between the two cases, further delays could arise if
the defendants in the Bristol County case chose to file
a motion to dismiss. He scheduled the next court appearance
for December nineteen, when the status of the discovery will
be discussed. For now, it's O'Keefe versus Reed again for
(02:57):
Crime and Justice News after this, A thirty four year
old woman from Wisconsin has been sentenced to life in
prison without the possibility of parole for the brutal beating
of her boyfriend six year old son, resulting in severe
injuries and ultimately his death. Anita Burks was found guilty
(03:20):
in October a first degree reckless homicide, child neglect leading
to death, and repeated acts of physical abuse against a
child at the time of his death. Burks was the
primary caregiver for Zane Adams. On July twenty one, twenty four,
she brought him to a nearby hospital, where surveillance footage
revealed that he was unable to walk and appeared barely conscious.
(03:43):
At one point, Burks was seen dragging him into the
emergency room by his shoulder. After he collapsed, Medical professionals
discovered extensive bruising all over Zane's body, including his face,
his limbs, his genitals, and later he was pronounced dead.
An autopsy revealed that he died from severe blood forced trauma,
(04:04):
suffering from multiple cuts, contusions, and broken ribs, with a
dangerously low body core temperature of below ninety degrees. Burkes
could not provide a reasonable explanation for the boy's injuries,
claiming instead that he had vomited after eating eggs and
that he had behavior issues. She was responsible for Zaane's
(04:25):
care while his father was incarcerated for an unrelated matter.
Burks also had a troubling history of child abuse, having
previously served three years in prison for pouring hot water
on a ten month old child. Zaye's tragic death devastated
his family. His grandmother, Yvette Adams expressed her anguish in
interviews at court, calling Burke's actions inhumane and labeling her
(04:49):
a monster. She shared the deep pain of losing a grandson,
saying she ripped my heart away. I'm hurt deep to
my soul those in the family, Jena, how could this
woman be allowed to keep a child when she was
just released from prison for hurting another. Police in Indiana
are asking for the public's help and locating a missing teen.
(05:13):
The Fort Wayne Police Department issued a public safety alert
on Sunday nights, saying they are searching for the teen
on the city's south side. The disappearance of the girl
has resulted in a state wide silver alert. Police are
searching for fifteen year old Eliyah de Philippo, who was
last seen in the area of the fifty two hundred
block of Harrison Street, near the intersection of South Calhoun
(05:36):
and Fairfax Avenue. The alert was sent to cell phones
in the surrounding areas around seven thirty pm. Also, an
additional alert was sent out around nine pm. De Philippo
is five feet tall, weighing about one hundred and ten pounds.
She has brown eyes, brown hair, and braces. She is
Hispanic She was last seen wearing a black tank top,
(05:57):
black and red pajama pants, earrings, and could be carrying
a blanket that was in her possession at the time
of her disappearance. If you see someone matching her description,
you are asked to contact the Fort Wayne Police Department
at two six zero four two seven one two two two.
For the latest crime injustice news. Follow Crime Alert hourly
(06:18):
update on your favorite podcasting app with this crime Alert.
I'm Nicole Parton.
Host
Nancy Grace
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