Karen Read Acquitted in Death of Officer John O’Keefe
Karen Read stood trial over the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found unconscious in the snow after a party in Canton, Massachusetts. Prosecutors accused Read of backing her SUV into O’Keefe while intoxicated and then leaving the scene, leading to charges like second-degree murder and manslaughter.
In a significant turn, after extensive deliberation, the jury in Dedham, Massachusetts, found Read not guilty of murder and manslaughter. However, she was convicted of operating under the influence.
During the trial, Read’s defense argued she was the victim of a police cover-up, suggesting O’Keefe was actually injured inside the house during a fight.
Following the verdict, supporters cheered for Read as she left the courthouse, expressing gratitude for their backing. She emphasized that she fought hard for justice for O’Keefe.
On the night of January 29, 2022, O’Keefe was discovered unresponsive outside a home where a party took place. He suffered fatal injuries, including blunt force trauma. Prosecutors claimed Read hit him with her vehicle but her attorneys raised questions about the circumstances of his injuries, including suggestions of an altercation at the party.
The defense maintained that Read was wrongfully accused and that evidence had possibly been manipulated to protect law enforcement interests. Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial last July after jurors couldn’t reach a consensus.
