Boston, MA — As jury deliberations in the trial of Karen Read extend into their fourth day, speculation grows about the possibility of a hung jury and a consequent mistrial. Read is accused of fatally striking her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV in January 2022 and then fleeing the scene. The defense contends that Read was wrongfully implicated in the incident.
The case, which emerged from a tragic night after the couple had been bar hopping, has captured significant public and legal interest. Discussions around the likelihood of a mistrial were notably addressed during a recent episode of the local show “Canton Confidential,” where legal experts weighed in on potential outcomes.
If the jury can’t reach a unanimous decision, the presiding Judge, Beverly Cannone, may issue further instructions in an effort to prevent a mistrial. Known in legal parlance as an Allen charge or “dynamite charge,” this directive urges jurors in the minority to reconsider their stance to facilitate a conclusive verdict.
Morjieta Derisier, a criminal defense attorney with Baystate Law Group, explained the judge’s potential course of action. “Judges generally hope that a jury can reach a verdict, given the time and effort dedicated to the process. In complicated cases like this, judges may prompt jurors to reevaluate their positions one more time in hopes of achieving unanimity,” Derisizer noted. However, she signaled uncertainty over whether Cannone would resort to this measure.
The timeline for declaring a mistrial, should the jury remain deadlocked, is not strictly defined. Katherine Loftus, a Boston attorney, remarked on the procedure, “Should the jurors report a standstill, they’ll be asked to deliberate further. If no progress is made, the judge may need to step in and declare a mistrial.” She also pointed out that the holiday weekend could disrupt the deliberation process.
Loftus referenced a similar case from 2018, where Cannone presided over the trial of Emanuel Lopes who was accused of murdering Weymouth Police Sgt. Michael Chesna and civilian Vera Adams. In that instance, a mistrial was declared around the two-week mark after the jury failed to reach a verdict. This previous experience might inform Cannone’s decisions in the current trial.
As the deliberations are poised to extend into the following week, the likelihood of a prolonged jury process seems evident. “The jurors are meticulously reviewing the case, which suggests deliberations might not conclude swiftly,” Derisier added.
The unfolding events in the courtroom continue to hold the attention of the greater Boston area, as the community awaits a resolution to this high-profile case involving law enforcement and allegations of severe misconduct. The outcome of this trial could have broader implications on public perceptions and the legal procedures involving police personnel and their associates.