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On Friday, the circus surrounding the Karen Read murder trial descended into chaos when Read supporters and opponents clashed for the first time outside the courthouse in Dedham.

Read, who is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, has gathered an army of pink-clad fans outside the trial since it began in April.

Then on Friday, a group of Read critics showed up with signs that read: “Karen Read killed a man!”, “Karen Read is guilty!”, “Rot in prison!”, “This is about Officer John O’Keefe, not you!”, “Guilty.”

Read’s supporters and opponents clashed along High Street next to the courthouse and in front of the First Church and Parish, outside the courthouse’s buffer zone, when police got between the groups. The clash occurred around 1 p.m. after the jury found they could not agree.

The critics claimed that some of Read’s supporters showed up at a VFW on Thursday while the jury was deliberating to harass O’Keefe’s family.

“The O’Keefe family has been harassed relentlessly, including yesterday when those circus animals went there to harass the O’Keefe family,” Elisa Bennett told reporters. “Have respect – a man died. He lost his life.”

Another Read critic, Julie Gunto, said Read hired Aidan Kearney, also known as “Turtleboy,” to launch a PR campaign.

“As you can see, it worked,” Gunto said. “This is an absolute disgrace for John and his family.”

Meanwhile, Read’s supporters insist on her innocence and blame the case on police “corruption.”

“It’s obvious and it’s right in our faces,” said Nick Rocco, who is closely associated with Read and her defense team. “If we don’t wake up, you’re next, and I’m next, and everyone here is next.”

Rocco said he provided financial support for Read’s defense, claiming he helped raise $250,000.