You've probably seen the "Free Karen Read" shirts or the endless TikTok clips of defense attorney Alan Jackson grilling witnesses. It’s been a wild ride. Honestly, the legal saga of Karen Read has basically turned into a national obsession, and for good reason. It’s got everything: a dead police officer, allegations of a massive "blue wall" cover-up, and a defendant who refuses to back down.
If you are trying to find where to stream Karen Read trial footage or catch up on the latest hearings in 2026, you aren't alone. The landscape has changed significantly since that first hung jury back in 2024.
We aren't just talking about a simple murder trial anymore. We are talking about a web of civil lawsuits, federal investigations, and even a Lifetime movie.
The Current Status: Why You Can’t Find a "Live" Criminal Stream Today
Here is the big update: The criminal trials are over. In June 2025, Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder in her high-profile retrial. The jury found her not guilty of the most serious charges, including manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision. She was found guilty of one lesser charge—operating under the influence—and received a year of probation.
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So, if you’re searching for a live feed of the murder trial today, January 17, 2026, you won’t find one. It’s done.
But wait. That doesn't mean the cameras have stopped rolling.
- The Civil Battle: John O'Keefe's family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Read.
- The Lawsuits: Read herself has fired back, filing an explosive civil suit alleging a police frame-up.
- The Investigation: There are ongoing hearings regarding the conduct of the lead investigator, Michael Proctor, who was fired from the Massachusetts State Police.
You can still catch these civil hearings and updates through local news outlets like Boston 25 News or legal hubs like Court TV, which maintains a massive archive of every single minute of the previous trials.
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Where to Stream Karen Read Trial Archives and Documentaries
Since the live criminal proceedings wrapped up, the "streaming" aspect has shifted toward documentaries and scripted retellings. People are still obsessed with the "McAlbert" conspiracy theories and the Google search for "hos long to die in cold."
If you want to binge the actual testimony, here is where you go:
- Court TV: They have the "gavel-to-gavel" archive of both the 2024 trial and the 2025 retrial. It is the best place to see the raw evidence without the commentary.
- HBO Max: They released a docuseries called A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read. It’s a bit more polished and breaks down the defense's theory that O'Keefe was actually killed inside 34 Fairview Road during a fight.
- Fox Nation: They still host Karen Read Murder Trial Live as a VOD series. It’s handy if you want to see the daily breakdowns.
- Lifetime: Just this month, in January 2026, Lifetime premiered Accused: The Karen Read Story. It’s a scripted movie, so take it with a grain of salt, but it’s part of the cultural zeitgeist now.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Acquittal
Kinda crazy, right? After all that drama, she walked on the murder charges. But the public is still split down the middle. One thing people often miss is that while she was acquitted of murder, the legal system isn't finished with her.
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In her first post-acquittal interview earlier this week—on the Rotten Mango podcast—Read admitted she doesn't feel safe. She’s living with her parents. She’s broke. She claims she hasn't seen a dime from the movies or documentaries.
"I am out of tears," she told the hosts. It’s a stark contrast to the woman we saw in the courtroom who many criticized for being "too stoic."
Actionable Steps for Following the Case in 2026
The story is moving from the criminal courts to the federal and civil ones. If you want to stay updated on the real news, stop looking for "live trial" streams and start looking for these specific things:
- Monitor the Federal Investigation: The U.S. Attorney’s Office has been looking into the Norfolk County District Attorney's office. Any movement there is the "real" sequel to this trial.
- Follow the Civil Docket: Use the Massachusetts trial court electronic records (MassCourts) to track the wrongful death suit. That is where the next big testimony will happen.
- Check Local Boston News: Sites like The Boston Globe or CBS Boston are still the fastest with updates on Michael Proctor’s employment appeals and the fallout from his "disgraceful" texts.
The Karen Read saga isn't just a trial anymore. It's a case study in how social media, local politics, and a grieving family can collide in the worst way possible. Whether you think she's a victim or a villain, the paperwork is far from finished.