A Massachusetts jury has found Karen Read not guilty in the retrial for the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe. The verdict was reached Wednesday (June 18) after the jury began deliberations on June 13 in Norfolk County. This decision comes nearly a year after Read's first trial ended in a mistrial.

Prosecutors accused Read of hitting O'Keefe with her car outside the Canton home of fellow officer Brian Albert during a blizzard, then leaving him to die. However, the defense argued that Read's vehicle did not hit O'Keefe. Instead, they claimed O'Keefe was attacked by a dog and beaten by others before being left in the snow.

Read faced charges of second-degree murder, leaving the scene of personal injury and death, and manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence. She pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintained her innocence throughout the trial. During deliberations, the jury asked several questions, including whether a hung jury on one charge would affect the others.

In an unusual moment, Judge Beverly Cannone informed the court that the jury initially indicated they had reached a verdict during a lunch break, but later updated that there was no verdict yet. The judge sealed the verdict slip, emphasizing that a verdict is only official once announced in open court.

Read's first trial ended in a mistrial in July 2024, with the jury unable to agree on the charge of manslaughter while operating under the influence. Despite multiple appeals by Read's lawyers, claiming double jeopardy, the retrial proceeded. Read chose not to testify in her defense, stating, "The jury has heard my interview clips. They've heard my voice. They've heard a lot of me."

Michael Berry