Tensions have been mounting between federal authorities and the Norfolk District Attorney's Office over the investigation into the murder case of Karen Read, as newly released correspondence shows federal investigators digging into a state prosecution. According to a report by Boston 25 News, eight letters released yesterday span a 10-month communication battle between the two legal bodies.
Norfolk DA Michael W. Morrissey clubbed back against what was described as a "highly unusual and possibly abusive" probe by federal prosecutors looking into the state's case against Read. The discontent was made public in a letter dated May 18, 2023, in which Morrissey protested to the DOJ's Office of Professional Responsibility about federal investigators subpoenaing witnesses from the Read case, as reported by the Boston Globe. Morrissey argued in a letter that the subpoenas could infringe upon the defendant's constitutional rights, stating that defense in the Read case would have a right to access the statements or testimony gathered by federal investigators.
In a detailed correspondence with the DOJ, Morrissey contended that federal investigators were overstepping by roping in state witnesses related to the second-degree murder trial. Karen Read stands accused of killing her boyfriend, a Boston Police officer, by backing her SUV into him during a blizzard and leaving him to die. Amidst this unfolding legal drama, the Norfolk DA's Office initially attempted to prevent the release of these letters, but according to Boston 25 News, relented last week.
Furthermore, in a June 12, 2023 letter revealed by Boston 25 News, acting U.S. Attorney Josh Levy had "no issue" with the defense being informed about the interactions between his office and the Norfolk DA. This inter-agency discord comes at a critical time as Read's trial is set to begin on March 12, and the DA's office insists, as mentioned in an October 12 letter, that it must be aware of any information federal investigators have on state witnesses in a timely manner.
Renewing his position, Morrissey penned a letter on November 22 to the FBI offering FBI agents an opportunity to speak with state police involved in the O'Keefe murder investigation. Yet, the federal response to this olive branch remains under wraps. With so many eyes trained on the developments within these letters, further scrutiny on how federal involvement might sway the outcome of the state's murder case lingers. Both the U.S. Attorney's Office and the Norfolk DA's Office are yet to comment on this latest story from Boston 25 News.
