DEDHAM, Mass. — After more than eight hours of deliberation spanning two days, a jury has yet to reach a verdict in the trial of Karen Read, a 44-year-old Massachusetts woman accused of the fatal 2022 incident involving her boyfriend, a Boston police officer. The deliberations will continue Thursday morning at Norfolk Superior Court.
Read, who works as a financial analyst and college professor, faces charges of second-degree murder among other allegations. She pleaded not guilty, asserting that her indictment was the result of a police conspiracy intended to frame her. “There is no case against me,” Read stated outside the court, describing the charges as “smoke and mirrors.”
The case centers around the death of John O’Keefe, who was found deceased in the driveway of fellow officer Brian Albert after a night out. Prosecutors argue that Read, under the influence of alcohol, struck O’Keefe with her vehicle and left the scene, ultimately leading to his death from hypothermia compounded by blunt head injuries.
During the trial, the defense highlighted what they believe are discrepancies and misleading testimony aimed at implicating Read. They suggested that O’Keefe might have been involved in a physical altercation at Albert’s home, pointing to injuries they claim are indicative of an attack by a large dog rather than a vehicular impact.
Complicating matters, the court has seen tensions arise over jury instructions and the admissibility of certain evidence. The jury requested access to a report by the Special Emergency Response Team which was denied by Judge Beverly Cannone for not being included in the court filings. Additionally, adjustments were made to the juror form after the defense expressed concerns about its clarity regarding the option to declare a defendant not guilty.
Support for Read is palpable outside the courtroom, where family and friends have gathered, some brandishing signs urging her release. Her attorney, Alan Jackson, has vocally criticized the prosecution’s approach, telling the court, “The odd things keep piling up… It’s inexcusable. It’s abhorrent.”
Forensic analysis has played a significant role, with experts for the defense challenging the conclusion that Read’s car was definitely involved in O’Keefe’s injuries. No conclusive DNA evidence linking Read to the supposed vehicular impact has been presented by the prosecution, according to defense statements.
In emotionally charged testimony, Read recounted the early morning hours, claiming she tried to save O’Keefe’s life after discovering him injured. She vehemently denied the charges, stating, “I tried to save his life at 6 in the morning, I was covered in his blood. I was the only one trying to save his life.”
As the jury reconvenes, the community and all involved await a resolution to this tense and closely watched trial. Defense motions for a directed verdict of not guilty were denied by Judge Cannone, setting the stage for further deliberations. The outcome will hinge on the jury’s interpretation of a complex array of evidence and testimonies detailing the tragic events of that January night.