Jury selection kicked off Tuesday for the second trial of Karen Read, who is accused of murder and other charges for an alleged hit-and-run that left her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, dead in a blizzard in January 2022.

The 45-year-old’s first trial ended with a hung jury, and the judge later rejected multiple requests to dismiss the case.

This time around, nearly half of the first group of potential jurors told the judge they already have an opinion on the case.

Cannone on Monday ruled that Read’s defense cannot try and blame Albert’s nephew, Colin Albert, for the crime. 

Karen Read and John O’Keefe pose for an undated photograph. (Karen Read)

Other potential third-party culprits floated by the defense include Brian Albert himself and ATF Agent Brian Higgins, both of whom were present at the bar and the after-party. 

The judge said that Read’s defense cannot name them during opening statements – but they can introduce evidence during the trial that they believe points to them and not her.

Witness Brian Albert testifies during the first trial of Karen Read at Norfolk County Superior Court, Friday, May 10, 2024, in Dedham, Mass.  (AP Photo/Charles Krupa, Pool)

Cannone also sided with prosecutors and blocked testimony from a former FBI agent named Michael Easter, who was expected to scrutinize alleged missteps from police in the investigation.

The lead investigator, former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, was fired last month after an investigation into lewd text messages he sent about Read while probing O’Keefe’s death, which were read in court during her first trial.

Although he is no longer a trooper, his name is on the witness list the second time around – along with 149 other people.