Karen Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, was facing second-degree murder charges and other accusations related to O’Keefe’s death.
A judge declared a mistrial on Monday after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict in the high-profile case of Karen Read, who was accused of fatally striking her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm.
Prosecutors have announced plans to retry the case, where the defense argued Read was framed by the police.
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After five days of deliberation, jurors informed Judge Beverly Cannone that they were deadlocked in the case of John O’Keefe, who died in January 2022. This abrupt end followed a two-month trial that featured over 600 pieces of evidence and more than 70 witnesses.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson, speaking to reporters outside the courthouse, criticized the prosecution’s efforts, calling the charges against Read unfounded. He accused the state of conducting a compromised investigation with biased witnesses, resulting in their failure to convict.
Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey expressed gratitude to O’Keefe’s family for their dedication to seeking justice.
Karen Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, was facing second-degree murder charges and other accusations related to O’Keefe’s death. O’Keefe, a 16-year veteran of the Boston police, was found dead outside the home of another officer. His autopsy revealed he died from hypothermia and blunt force trauma.
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Prosecutors argued that Read and O’Keefe had been drinking heavily before she allegedly dropped him off at a party at Officer Brian Albert’s home, hitting him with her SUV as she drove away. The defense, however, claimed that O’Keefe was killed inside the house and then moved outside, suggesting that Read was targeted because she was an easy suspect, diverting attention from other possible perpetrators.
The jury foreperson indicated on Friday that they could not reach a unanimous decision despite thorough examination of the evidence. The judge instructed them to continue deliberating, but by Monday afternoon, they remained at an impasse. The jury’s note, read by the judge, emphasized that their division was based on sincere adherence to individual principles rather than a lack of effort.
Following the mistrial declaration, O’Keefe’s mother was visibly emotional, while Read embraced her family members.
The defense’s victory came after they scrutinized the police’s investigative methods and highlighted conflicts of interest. Notably, police admitted to using red plastic cups for collecting blood evidence and a leaf blower to clear snow in search of evidence. Lead investigator State Trooper Michael Proctor acknowledged making derogatory comments about Read in text messages, which he insisted did not impact the investigation.
Massachusetts State Police have since suspended Proctor and initiated an internal affairs investigation into his conduct.
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Two expert witnesses from the U.S. Department of Justice, testifying for the defense, provided scientific analyses that contradicted the prosecution’s theory. They concluded that O’Keefe’s injuries did not align with being struck by Read’s SUV, citing the lack of typical vehicular impact injuries.
Outside the courthouse, Read’s supporters, many dressed in pink and carrying “Free Karen Read” signs, celebrated the mistrial but remained aware that she could face retrial. Aidan Timothy Kearney, known online as Turtleboy and a vocal critic of the prosecution, called the mistrial “bittersweet,” believing the majority of jurors supported Read.
Prosecutors had presented evidence, including testimonies from first responders who claimed Read admitted to hitting O’Keefe and evidence of her intoxication hours after the incident. They also highlighted the couple’s troubled relationship and angry messages exchanged on the night of O’Keefe’s death.
Despite the mistrial, the case remains unresolved, with plans for a retrial already in motion.