Overview
- Norfolk Superior Court Judge Michael Doolin allowed Read’s motion for the return of two Apple iPhones seized in January 2024 during the O’Keefe investigation.
- The ruling permits prosecutors to keep the devices during an appeal, with Read’s attorney saying nothing changes for now and that the fight continues.
- The phones are tied to a separate witness‑intimidation case involving blogger Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney, who advocated for Read.
- Doolin referenced an earlier ruling that rejected a proposed taint‑team search after finding a 19‑month delay in seeking a warrant was not reasonable.
- The court noted the state’s lawful possession does not continue indefinitely, and the Norfolk DA’s office offered no immediate comment on the decision.