BOSTON (AP) — The Karen Read murder case has inspired crowds of pink-clad supporters, divided a Massachusetts town and provided juicy content for true crime podcasters. Now, rubber ducks are in the mix.
On Wednesday, one of Read’s ardent supporters pleaded not guilty to intimidating witnesses, harassment and littering. Richard Schiffer Jr. admits that he’s been placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town, but says he’s got a First Amendment right to support the defense theory that Read has been framed in the polarizing murder case.
Read now awaits a January retrial, accused of ramming into her boyfriend John O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving the Boston police officer to die in a snowstorm. Read’s attorneys have argued that other law enforcement officers were responsible for O’Keefe’s death. A judge declared a mistrial in June after finding that the jurors couldn’t reach agreement.
The 65-year-old Schiffer didn’t speak during his brief appearance in Stoughton District Court, but greeted several dozen supporters outside. Several wore T-shirts emblazoned with rubber ducks, while some carried American flags or placards supporting Read. One woman brought her pet parrot, who was wearing a cape with the words “Quack Quack” while another person had a huge flag with the words “Are they ducken crazy.”