A Massachusetts jury on Tuesday acquitted Karen Read of the most serious charges in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, but found her guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence.
The verdict, delivered after weeks of high-profile testimony and media coverage, concluded that Read did not murder O’Keefe or leave the scene of a fatal collision, as prosecutors had alleged. She was instead convicted on the lesser charge of drunk driving and sentenced to one year of probation. The sentence aligned with the prosecution’s recommendation, citing Read’s status as a first-time offender.
Prosecutors had accused Read of striking O’Keefe with her SUV in a drunken rage after a night of drinking with friends in Canton in January 2022, then abandoning him in a snowstorm. In contrast, Read’s defense argued she was framed by law enforcement officers, who they claimed had assaulted O’Keefe, allowed a dog to attack him, and staged the scene before covering it up. Read did not testify during the trial.
As the jury's decision was read, Read smiled and embraced members of her defense team. Outside the courthouse, supporters erupted in cheers, chanting "Karen is free."
The case has drawn national attention over the past year, spawning true crime documentaries, podcasts, and intense speculation online. The trial followed a previous proceeding in 2024 that ended in a hung jury.
The jury’s decision not to convict on second-degree murder suggests they were unconvinced that Read intentionally killed O’Keefe, as prosecutors had argued.
The high-profile case may not be over. Legal experts say civil suits or further investigation into the defense’s claims could still unfold.
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