Norfolk County prosecutors adding Hank Brennan, an independent lawyer, to lead the prosecution of Karen Read during a second trial represents an unusual step in a case without obvious conflicts of interest, experts say.

A lawyer who represented Boston gangster James “Whitey” Bulger will prosecute Karen Read, whose murder trial in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend ended with a hung jury, when the case is retried,

Ms. Read will receive the dignity and fairness that every defendant deserves in our criminal justice system,” Hank Brennan said Wednesday.