'Turtleboy' blogger charged with new crimes in Karen Read case. What he's facing

DEDHAM − Controversial blogger Aidan Kearney, who is known as "Turtleboy," faces new charges in connection with his postings about the murder charge against Karen Read, who is accused of killing Braintree native John O'Keefe, WCVB reported Wednesday.

Kearney, of Holden, was originally arrested in October on nine counts − one count of conspiracy and eight counts of intimidation of a witness, juror, police or court official − but special prosecutor Kenneth Mello hinted last month that other charges were coming.

On Wednesday, a Norfolk County grand jury handed up a 16-count indictment against Kearney, Mello said. That includes eight counts of intimidation of a witness, five counts of picketing a witness and three counts of conspiracy to intimidate a witness.

Kearney is scheduled to be arraigned on the new charges in Superior Court on Dec. 27.

Kearney has blogged prolifically in recent months about the Karen Read case. The Mansfield woman is accused of hitting O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, with her vehicle outside a home in Canton on Jan. 29, 2022.

Prosecutors say Read and O’Keefe had both been drinking that night. Read and her defense team claim she is the victim of a coverup.

Through many of Read's pretrial hearings, Kearney sat in the courtroom a few rows behind the defense table. He was often visible in the background while attorneys spoke.

Kearney previously lost his bid to have the court lift an order requiring that he stay away from witnesses and alleged victims in the Read case, and a judge denied an emergency motion in which he sought the return of electronic devices seized during the search of his home.

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: New witness-intimidation charges filed against 'Turtleboy' blogger