BOSTON – The notorious trial of Karen Read started April 16 in Massachusetts, charged with second-degree murder in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. In another case, blogger Aidan Kearney faces charges for his alleged conduct involving witnesses in the reading test.

Who is “Turtle Boy”?

Kearney runs the website “TB Daily News” and writes under the nickname “Turtleboy.”

For months he has been covering and writing about the Read trial.

As part of Read’s defense, her lawyers have denied that she killed O’Keefe. Instead, they allege that she is the victim of an elaborate cover-up by several people, including law enforcement. Prosecutors deny the allegations and argue that Read is responsible for O’Keefe’s death.

Kearney has publicly questioned the investigation and published articles about it. He often filmed himself confronting witnesses in public.

Why was Aidan Kearney arrested?

In October 2023, Kearney was arrested and charged with witness intimidation in the Karen Read case. Kearney was arraigned in Stoughton District Court on the day of his arrest.

Prosecutors read several alleged examples of witness intimidation in court, many of which previously appeared on Kearney’s blog or social media channels.

Kearney was also accused of working with an Avon Police Department dispatcher. Prosecutors said Kearney and the dispatcher illegally accessed motor vehicle data.

A judge ordered Kearney held on $1,000 cash bail with conditions. Among the conditions, the judge ordered Kearney to stay away from all witnesses listed by prosecutors.

Several months before Kearney’s arrest, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey released a video statement condemning the “absolutely baseless” harassment of witnesses in the Read case.

“Conspiracy theories are not evidence,” Morrissey said in the statement.

Kearney’s response to the charges

Kearney pleaded not guilty. Kearney’s attorney, Timothy Bradl, said the blogger “vehemently denies” the charges. Kearney maintains that he is exercising his First Amendment rights to cover the Karen Read trial.

Following the arraignment, Kearney held a news conference and told reporters that he will not be silenced.

“You will never silence me, you will never, ever stop me from reporting the truth about what happened to John O’Keefe,” Kearney said. “Reporting the news is not harassment. Asking questions is not harassment.”

New accusation against Kearney

In December, a Norfolk County grand jury indicted Kearney for 16 new positions. The charges included eight counts of witness intimidation, three counts of conspiracy to intimidate witnesses and five counts of protesting a witness.

Special prosecutor Kenneth Mello said at the time that Kearney allegedly continued to violate his bail conditions.

“It’s clear that Mr. Kearney is encouraging his minions, his followers, in the context of his blogs and YouTube, etc., to continue to harass witnesses,” Mello said.

Mello said Kearney “hides behind the appearance of a journalist.” Bradl reiterated Kearney’s position that he is exercising your First Amendment rights.

“He is allowed to encourage them to speak out against what he sees as corruption, what he sees as mishandling of the Read case,” Bradl said.

Kearney’s bail revoked

On December 26, a judge revoked Kearney’s bond in the case and he was send to jail.

According to prosecutors, Kearney went to his ex-girlfriend’s house. He allegedly demanded to see the woman’s phone and is accused of pushing her during the confrontation. Kearney’s attorney said that’s not what happened.

“We are shocked and disgusted that that is the ruling and we are going to do everything we can to fight it,” Bradl said.

Communications with Karen Read

According to an affidavit unsealed in January, Kearney and Read had 189 phone calls totaling more than 40 hours in 2023. In addition to those phone calls, prosecutors said Read and Kearney also communicated on the Signal app and through a intermediary.

Prosecutors allege that Read was sharing information about the case that was not yet public.

Bradl called it “an investigation without a crime.” Read’s attorneys did not comment on the communications when the affidavit was opened.

“It seems to me that there is no evidence that Karen Read intended or had anything to do with the intimidation or interference of a witness, and rather this is a woman fighting for her life as the target of a murder charge,” Bradl said on January 31. “She has the right to exercise unalienable rights under the First, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Amendments to defend herself.”

Kearney released from jail

On February 23, 2024, Kearney was released from prison on personal recognizance.

As part of that day’s court hearing, Kearney was also charged with two new counts of harassment of a witness and interception of electronic or oral communications. He pleaded not guilty to those new charges.

“It was a really tough 60 days there. I’m not going to lie. The longest 60 days of my life, but knowing that I had a world of fans here to support us, and that I’m completely innocent. And you never forgot that, you always had my back. No “I can’t thank you enough,” Kearney said after being released.

Since his release, Kearney has continued to report on the Karen Read case on his website.