In a highly publicized court case that captured national attention, Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, following a retrial that ended with a verdict delivered after 22 hours of jury deliberation. The trial concluded with Read being found guilty only of a lesser charge of drunk driving, for which she received a one-year probation sentence.
The case was marked by dramatic twists and polarized narratives, with the prosecution and defense painting vastly different pictures of the events leading to O’Keefe’s death in January 2022. O’Keefe was found unresponsive in a snowbank outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, after an evening of drinking with Read.
Prosecutors argued that Read, in a fit of anger after a dispute, hit O’Keefe with her SUV and left the scene, actions they claimed were evidenced by pieces of her damaged taillight found near his body and data from her vehicle indicating suspicious movements. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan contended that Read's actions were those of a woman unwilling to face the consequences, driven in part by a blood alcohol level significantly above the legal limit.
In stark contrast, the defense presented a narrative rife with allegations of police misconduct and conspiracy, suggesting that O’Keefe was the victim of an assault, left outside to succumb to harsh conditions, and that Read was an unwitting scapegoat in a cover-up designed to protect those actually responsible. Defense attorney Alan Jackson emphasized a lack of collision evidence, and focused on allegations of planted evidence, namely the taillight fragments, and misconduct by lead investigator Michael Proctor, who had been dismissed over inappropriate actions related to the case.
This case had previously ended in a mistrial, fueled by strong public interest and constant media coverage, partly due to a blog run by Aidan Kearney, which repeatedly called into question the prosecution's case and fueled debates both in and outside the courtroom.
Reactions to the verdict outside the courthouse were fervent, with supporters clad in pink expressing jubilant relief. The trial's outcome represents a significant chapter in what has been a contentious saga involving allegations of corruption and integrity questions within the Boston-area law enforcement community.
Read’s legal journey reflects the complexities and challenges inherent in cases where narratives diverge profoundly and public interest intersects tightly with the judicial process. As the dust settles following this high-stakes legal battle, questions about the implications for all parties involved inevitably linger.