In 2022, David Yannetti ’89 answered a phone call that led to his becoming an attorney for the caller, Karen Read, the defendant in one of the highest profile—and still ongoing—murder cases in Massachusetts in recent years.
He spoke at BC Law last October about the experience of being one of three counsels for Read, who was charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter, while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision, causing death.
A longtime prosecutor turned defense attorney, Yannetti said he is eager to go the distance in the Read case, which is still making its way to retrial after a mistrial last July. The process is not easy and is further complicated by the tumult of publicity surrounding the case.
Still, Yannetti said, he’s proud to defend his client. Referring obliquely to the prosecution side where he learned to be a litigator, he said of his current role: “As many friends that I have in law enforcement, there’s a segment of law enforcement that can’t stand me. If those are my enemies, then I’m probably doing something right.”