THE TURTLE RIDERS

Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe is found unresponsive in the snow outside fellow officer Brian Albert's home in Canton, MA. Karen Read, O'Keefe's girlfriend, finds his body around 6 AM. He is pronounced dead at the hospital with blunt force trauma and hypothermia.

Karen Read is arraigned and charged with manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene. She pleads not guilty. Prosecutors allege she backed her SUV into O'Keefe and left him to die in the cold.

A Norfolk County grand jury indicts Read on upgraded charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while OUI, and leaving the scene. Read pleads not guilty and is held on $100,000 bail.

Blogger Aidan Kearney (Turtleboy) begins extensively covering the Karen Read case on his TB Daily News website. He promotes the defense theory that Read was framed and O'Keefe was actually killed inside the Albert home.

Kearney leads dozens of supporters on a "Rolling Road Rally" visiting the homes of several witnesses in the Read case, using a bullhorn to question the official investigation.

Aidan Kearney is arrested by Massachusetts State Police on nine counts including witness intimidation and conspiracy. He's released on personal recognizance but ordered to stay away from witnesses. He vows: "I will never, ever be silenced."

The town of Canton votes 903-800 to audit the Canton Police Department over their handling of the O'Keefe case, reflecting deep community divisions.

A Norfolk County grand jury indicts Kearney on 16 counts: eight counts of witness intimidation, five counts of picketing a witness, and three counts of conspiracy to intimidate witnesses.

After an alleged Christmas Eve incident with an ex-girlfriend, Kearney's bail is revoked and he's sent to jail. He's accused of assault and battery, which he denies.

After approximately 60 days in jail, Kearney is released on personal recognizance. His supporters, the "Turtle Riders," erupt in cheers outside the courthouse. Additional charges of wiretapping are filed but he walks free.

Jury selection begins for Karen Read's murder trial. The case has drawn national attention thanks in part to Turtleboy's extensive coverage and the "Free Karen Read" movement.

Judge Cannone rules that Kearney must leave the courtroom when certain witnesses testify. He's later allowed to stay during testimony from Trooper Michael Proctor, whose misconduct becomes a major story.

Lead investigator Michael Proctor's vulgar text messages about Karen Read are revealed in court. He called her a "whack job" and said he hoped she'd kill herself. Proctor is later fired from the Massachusetts State Police.

After five days of deliberation, the jury remains deadlocked and Judge Cannone declares a mistrial. Prosecutors vow to retry Read. It's a partial victory for the defense and the Turtle Riders.

Jury selection begins for Karen Read's retrial. The same day, the Canton Police audit results are released. Testimony begins in late April with the world watching.

Judge Michael Doolin dismisses six of the 16 counts against Kearney, including charges related to Michael Proctor and Yuri Bukhenik. The judge rules insufficient evidence of intent to obstruct the Read case.

Aidan Kearney is found NOT GUILTY of violating a restraining order in a bench trial. His attorney Mark Bederow announces: "Another great job by co-counsel Tim Bradl."

After four days of deliberations, Karen Read is found NOT GUILTY of second-degree murder and manslaughter. She's convicted only of OUI. Kearney emerges from the courthouse with arms raised as Turtle Riders cheer: "This is the most validating thing ever."

Norfolk DA drops additional charges against Kearney, including witness intimidation and wiretapping counts related to his ex-girlfriend. Two cases remain pending, with Kearney fighting for full vindication.

Kearney still faces remaining witness intimidation charges but maintains his actions were protected First Amendment journalism. The Turtle Riders continue to rally for his complete exoneration. As Kearney says: "They will never shut me up."