The Karen Read case isn’t just a trial anymore. It’s basically a cultural phenomenon that has split the state of Massachusetts—and much of the internet—right down the middle. If you've been following the "Free Karen Read" movement or just found yourself down a rabbit hole about taillight fragments and Apple Health data, you're probably wondering exactly where can I watch the Karen Read trial or its various legal offshoots as we head into 2026.
Honestly, the landscape has changed. While the explosive 2024 mistrial and the subsequent 2025 retrial are officially in the books, the legal fallout is still very much alive.
The Short Answer for Today
If you are looking for the live murder trial, you missed the boat by a few months. In June 2025, a jury found Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident. She was, however, found guilty of operating a vehicle while under the influence of liquor.
But don't turn off your screen yet.
The story has shifted to the civil side. As of January 2026, the O’Keefe family’s wrongful death lawsuit against Read is moving through the courts. Meanwhile, Read herself has filed lawsuits against law enforcement and witnesses she claims framed her.
✨ Don't miss: Who Has Trump Pardoned So Far: What Really Happened with the 47th President's List
Where to Find the Trial Archives and Future Live Streams
Even though the "main" criminal event is over, the footage is everywhere. Most people want the raw, unfiltered testimony because, let's be real, the snippets on TikTok don't always give you the full context of the "Canton cover-up" theories.
- Court TV: This is your best bet for high-quality, archived footage. They covered every single minute of the 2025 retrial. You can find their "MA v. Karen Read" hub on their website or YouTube channel. It’s organized by day, so if you want to skip straight to the "Free Itani" cross-examination or the accident reconstruction experts, you can.
- Law&Crime Network: Their YouTube channel is basically a library for this case. They have the 2024 and 2025 proceedings. One thing that's kinda cool about their stream is the live chat—though it’s a bit of a wild west in there.
- Boston 25 News: For local context, these guys were on the ground at the Dedham courthouse every single day. They often stream the status hearings for the ongoing civil cases and the wrongful death lawsuit.
- Fox Nation: If you want a more "produced" experience, they have a series called Watch Karen Read Murder Trial Live which includes analysis alongside the footage.
The 2026 Civil Hearings
The wrongful death claim filed by John O’Keefe’s family is currently the main event. A hearing was recently postponed in early January 2026, but the legal teams are expected back in a Brockton courtroom in February.
Local outlets like WBZ-TV (CBS Boston) and WCVB usually provide live links for these hearings. They aren't as "flashy" as the murder trial, but they are where the new evidence is being fought over.
Why Everyone Is Still Obsessed
It's weird, right? A case about a tragic death in a snowstorm usually fades away after an acquittal. Not this one.
🔗 Read more: Why the 2013 Moore Oklahoma Tornado Changed Everything We Knew About Survival
The reason people keep searching for where can I watch the Karen Read trial is because the "Not Guilty" verdict didn't answer the question of what actually happened to John O'Keefe. If Karen Read didn't do it, who did? The defense's theory—that O'Keefe was beaten inside 34 Fairview Road and then dumped in the snow—remains one of the most debated topics in true crime history.
You've got federal investigations, internal affairs probes into Trooper Michael Proctor, and a town that feels like it's under a microscope.
What to Expect in the Coming Months
Keep an eye on the Rotten Mango podcast and other long-form creators. Karen Read has started doing extended sit-down interviews. In mid-January 2026, she spoke for over two hours about her acquittal and her fears for her safety in Massachusetts. These aren't "courtroom" videos, but they are the current primary source of new information.
If you’re waiting for a third criminal trial, it’s not happening. Double jeopardy is a real thing, and the acquittal on the murder charge is final. The focus now is strictly on money (civil suits) and the potential for federal charges against others if the "cover-up" allegations ever gain more traction.
💡 You might also like: Ethics in the News: What Most People Get Wrong
Your Viewing Checklist
If you’re planning a binge-watch of the 2025 retrial, here is how you should tackle it:
- Start with the Opening Statements: Both the Commonwealth (Hank Brennan) and the Defense (David Yannetti/Alan Jackson) set the stage for two completely different realities.
- The Michael Proctor Testimony: This was the turning point for many viewers. Seeing the lead investigator's text messages read aloud in open court changed the vibe of the entire case.
- The ARCCA Experts: These were the independent accident reconstruction experts hired by the DOJ (not the defense or prosecution). Their testimony about whether O'Keefe's injuries were consistent with a car strike was probably the most scientific part of the trial.
- The Verdict: Watch the 2025 verdict for the raw emotion. It's a heavy moment.
The best way to stay updated on the 2026 civil proceedings is to follow the Norfolk County Court dockets or subscribe to the Boston 25 News app. They'll ping you the second a live stream goes active for the next hearing.
Practical Next Steps
If you want to catch up on the most recent developments, start by watching the Law&Crime recap of the "Not Guilty" verdict from June 2025 to understand exactly which charges were dropped. After that, look up the January 2026 "Rotten Mango" interview with Karen Read for her first-hand perspective on life after the trial.
For the upcoming February 2026 civil hearings, bookmark the Court TV live schedule page. They typically announce their daily trial coverage at 9:00 AM ET.