DEDHAM, Mass. — Deliberations continued Thursday in the trial of Karen Read, who stands accused of the January 2022 murder of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. The jury, now discussing the case for over eight hours across three days, is considering charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Read, a 44-year-old financial analyst and former Bentley University finance lecturer, pled not guilty, alleging a police conspiracy aimed at implicating her in O’Keefe’s death. Her defense contends that the investigation into the officer’s death has been flawed and biased against her.
The incident in question dates to early 2022, when O’Keefe was discovered deceased in the driveway of another officer’s home following a night out. The circumstances of his death have been at the center of contentious courtroom debates. Despite requests, Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone denied jurors access to a Special Emergency Response Team report, explaining the document was not submitted in court filings.
A point of contention arose regarding jury instruction forms which the defense argued could confuse jurors about the option to deliver a not-gaulty verdict. Initially, Judge Cannone denied these claims, but modifications were subsequently made to the forms to ensure greater clarity.
This trial casts a spotlight on Read’s personal and professional life, revealing her extensive career in finance and academia. Prior to her teaching role at Bentley University, where her association has since been suspended, Read worked in equity research for Fidelity Investments and held other significant analytical roles in the financial sector.
On the defense side, attorneys have focused on challenging the accusations leveled against Read. They suggest alternative scenarios for O’Keefe’s death, including a potential fight at the scene and a subsequent misinterpretation of forensic evidence. The defense also introduced expert testimony to dispute claims that O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with being hit by a vehicle.
Witnesses, including state troopers and forensic specialists, provided varied insights into the night O’Keefe died. Testimonies on the visibility conditions that night, Read’s actions, and the physical evidence found at the scene add layers of complexity to the case.
Support for Read has been visible outside the courtroom, with advocates displaying signs and wearing T-shirts to assert her innocence. These demonstrations reflect broader community interest and the polarizing nature of the trial.
As the jury deliberates, the community and observers wait to see whether Read will be found responsible for the tragic end of a Boston police officer’s life under mysterious and tragic circumstances, or if she will be exonerated in the face of accusations she and her defense firmly dispute.