Stoughton, Massachusetts – Aidan Timothy Kearney, a prominent and confrontational blogger known as “Turtleboy,” appeared in Stoughton District Court on Wednesday, facing charges of witness intimidation and conspiracy connected to a highly publicized case involving Karen Read. Kearney, who displayed a hoodie with the message “Free Karen Read,” pleaded not guilty to multiple counts of intimidation of a witness, juror, or law enforcement official, along with a single count of conspiracy.
As Kearney’s attorney firmly stated that his client “vehemently denies” the charges, he argued that Kearney’s actions were protected under the First Amendment, emphasizing the importance of free speech.
The charges against Kearney are linked to his advocacy on behalf of Karen Read, who is accused of running over her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The incident occurred in January 2022 when O’Keefe was left unconscious on the lawn of a home in Canton, southwest of Boston. Read faces charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while impaired, and leaving the scene of an accident.
The case surrounding Read’s alleged crime has garnered significant attention on social media, giving rise to conspiracy theories and claims of a cover-up involving local and state police. These allegations have fueled tensions and led to concerns about witness intimidation and harassment.
Fall River attorney Kenneth Mello, who was appointed as a special prosecutor to investigate Kearney’s actions, revealed messages allegedly sent by Kearney to witnesses and investigators. These messages, as stated by Mello, were intended to harass, threaten, and intimidate individuals involved in the case. Additionally, Mello claimed that Kearney had received information from a police dispatcher who had illegally accessed a motor vehicle database.
In response to these developments, District Attorney Michael W. Morrissey took the extraordinary step of releasing a video statement in August, in which he condemned the “absolutely baseless” harassment and vilification of witnesses in the case. Morrissey emphasized the importance of relying on evidence rather than innuendo, highlighting the challenges posed by misinformation and online harassment in high-profile legal matters.
