Karen Read Found Not Guilty of Second-Degree Murder
DEDHAM, Mass. — A jury found Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder Wednesday in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend in a polarizing and highly watched case.
The same jury found her guilty of a lesser charge of drunken driving. The jury handed down its decision after deliberating for at least 22 hours since June 13.
Cheers from the crowd outside could be heard in the courtroom as the verdict was read.
The verdict came nearly a year after a separate jury deadlocked over Read’s involvement in the January 2022 death of John O’Keefe and resulted in a judge declaring a mistrial.
The Case Against Karen Read
It’s a huge victory for Read’s lawyers, who have long asserted she was framed by police after dropping O’Keefe off at a party at the home of a fellow officer. Prosecutors argued the Read, 45, hit O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV before driving away, but the defense maintained O’Keefe was killed inside the home and later dragged outside.
Read faced charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene outside Boston. A second-degree murder conviction would have carried a life sentence.
Much like during the first trial, attorneys spent months presenting their case, featuring hundreds of pieces of evidence and dozens of witnesses.
The Defense’s Argument
Read’s defense said O’Keefe was beaten, bitten by a dog, then left outside a home in the Boston suburb of Canton in a conspiracy orchestrated by the police that included planting evidence.
Prosecutors have described Read as a scorned lover who chose to leave O’Keefe dying in the snow after striking him with her SUV outside the house party.
It’s the state’s second attempt to convict Read. The first Read trial ended July 1 in a mistrial due to a hung jury.
Closing Arguments
The state’s case was led by special prosecutor Hank Brennan, who called fewer witnesses than prosecutor Adam Lally, who ran the first trial against Read.
Describing O’Keefe as a “good man” who “helped people,” Brennan told jurors during closing arguments that O’Keefe needed help that night and the only person who could provide it was Read. Instead, she drove away in her SUV.
“She was drunk. She hit him and she left him to die,” he said.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson rejected the idea that there was ever a collision at all. He and the defense called forward expert witnesses who agreed.
“There is no evidence that John was hit by a car. None. This case should be over right now, done, because there was no collision,” Jackson said during closing arguments.
Reaction to the Verdict
The verdict has sparked a range of reactions, with some expressing relief and others disappointment. The case has been highly publicized, and many have been following it closely.
The jury’s decision has also raised questions about the investigation and the handling of the case by the police.
Conclusion
The case against Karen Read has been a long and complex one, with many twists and turns. The verdict has brought some closure to the case, but it also raises many questions about the justice system and the handling of the investigation.
As the case comes to a close, it’s clear that the verdict will have a lasting impact on all those involved, including the family and friends of John O’Keefe and Karen Read.
FAQs
Q: What was Karen Read charged with?
A: Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene.
Q: What was the verdict in the case?
A: The jury found Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of drunken driving.
Q: How long did the jury deliberate?
A: The jury deliberated for at least 22 hours since June 13.
Q: What was the reaction to the verdict?
A: The verdict sparked a range of reactions, with some expressing relief and others disappointment.
