Jury finds Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder in death of police officer boyfriend

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"Karen Read Acquitted of Second-Degree Murder in Death of Police Officer Boyfriend"

Jury finds Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder in death of police officer boyfriend analysis cover image The Guardian 6.8
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/karen-read-not-guilty-second-degree-murder
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In a high-profile trial that captivated public attention, Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The jury found her guilty of drunk driving but dismissed the more serious charges, which included manslaughter and leaving the scene of an accident. Read, 45, was accused of fatally striking O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV after a night of drinking at a party attended by fellow officers. The case was marked by contrasting narratives from the prosecution and defense, with the prosecution portraying Read as a reckless individual who left her boyfriend to die alone in the snow, while the defense argued that O’Keefe was killed inside the house and that Read was being framed by law enforcement officials. The jury's decision came after deliberations began on June 13, and it marked the second attempt by the state to secure a conviction against Read, following a previous mistrial in July 2024 due to a hung jury.

The closing arguments in the trial highlighted the stark differences in perspective between the two sides. Special prosecutor Hank Brennan characterized O’Keefe as a victim who required immediate assistance, emphasizing that the only person capable of helping him was Read, who instead chose to flee the scene. In contrast, defense attorney Alan Jackson vehemently denied the prosecution's claims, asserting that there was no evidence to support the idea that O’Keefe was struck by Read's vehicle. He contended that the case should have been dismissed entirely, given the lack of physical evidence linking Read to the incident. This verdict has sparked discussions about the complexities of the case, with opinions divided on whether justice was served or if a miscarriage of justice occurred. The outcome underscores the challenges faced in high-stakes legal battles, particularly when they involve allegations against law enforcement personnel and the narratives crafted by both sides in the courtroom.

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Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/18/karen-read-not-guilty-second-degree-murder

A jury has foundKaren Readnot guilty of second-degree murder, but guilty of drunk driving in the death of her police officer boyfriend in a divisive and high-profile case that dueling lawyers presented as either a tragic love story or a sinister cover-up.

Read, 45, was accused of fatally striking her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party where other local police and a federal agent were closing out a night of drinking in 2022.

She was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene, but jurors – who had begun deliberating on 13 June – dismissed the main charges that would have landed her with a hefty jail term.

It was a huge victory for Read’s lawyers, who have long asserted she was framed by police after dropping O’Keefe off at a party at the home of a fellow officer. Prosecutors argued the 45-year-old Read hit O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV before driving away, but the defense maintained O’Keefe was killed inside the home and later dragged outside in a conspiracy orchestrated by police that included planting evidence.Meanwhile, prosecutors described Read as a scorned lover who chose to leave O’Keefe dying in the snow after striking him with her SUV outside the house party.It was the state’s second attempt to convict Read. The first Read trial ended on 1 July 2024 in a mistrial due to a hung jury.Describing O’Keefe as a “good man” who “helped people”, special prosecutor Hank Brennan told jurors during closing arguments that O’Keefe needed help the night he died and the only person who could provide it was Read. Instead, she drove away in her SUV.“She was drunk. She hit him and she left him to die,” he said.Defense attorney Alan Jackson rejected the idea that there was ever a collision at all. He and the defense called forward expert witnesses who agreed.“There is no evidence that John was hit by a car. None. This case should be over right now, done, because there was no collision,” Jackson said during closing arguments.

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Source: The Guardian