Judge denies special prosecutor access to search Karen Read’s phones

A special prosecutor working for the Norfolk District Attorney will not be allowed to analyze Karen Reed's phones, at least not yet. I'm investigative reporter Ted Daniels. Special Prosecutor Robert Cosgrove applied to search the phones, but Judge Peter Krupp has denied that warrant. And what was Judge Krupp's rationale for denying the motion? I can't get into that because it's the orders actually impounded. But I can say that I think the fact that it took 19 months for them to even apply for a warrant was a very significant factor. That's Reed's attorney Ben Erbilis. Following the decision, he tells me he immediately asked for Reed's phones to be returned to her, but that hasn't happened. State police seized the iPhones in early 2024 as a part of a witness intimidation investigation. It involves Reed's communication with Aiden Carney, the free Karen Reed content creator who goes by Turtle Boy. As we've reported, a previous attempt to indict Reed and Carney together for witness intimidation failed. In an email, Special Prosecutor Cosgrove tells me the return of the phones would typically require a judicial order. Cosgrove says the judge has not issued such an order, and he has 30 days to file an appeal or motion for reconsideration. Ben, I think people would be surprised to know that this is still going on. We're all surprised that this is still going on. Cosgrove declined to speak with us on camera. In his email, he argues it's important for the government to retain the phones to prevent any possible tampering or erasure of the contents. A hearing has been set for next week, where Reed's team is expected to ask Judge Krupp to order the return of the phones. We'll let you know what happens. I'm investigative reporter Ted Daniel for your local station, Boston 25 News.