Karen Read Acquitted of Murder Charges in High-Profile Case, Faces Probation for OUI

Dedham, Massachusetts — After nearly four years of legal battles, Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. The jury returned its verdict on June 18, finding her not guilty of the most serious charges, including manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide, but convicting her on a lesser count of operating under the influence.

Read’s acquittal came after a lengthy trial that captivated the local community and drew national attention. Upon hearing the verdict, Read embraced her legal team and broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the support she received throughout the ordeal.

As she exited the courthouse, cheering supporters welcomed her with jubilation. Flanked by her attorney Alan Jackson and her father, William Read, Karen thanked those who had stood by her during the challenging process. “I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially and emotionally for almost four years,” she told the crowd.

She added, “No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have. Thank you.” Her father praised both his daughter’s resilience and the unwavering support from their extended family. “I want to acknowledge the greatest team of attorneys,” he said, expressing gratitude to the community.

Although acquitted of the most severe charges, Read will serve one year of probation due to the OUI charge. The jury’s decision followed intense deliberations and a mistrial declared in the prior year when jurors could not agree on a verdict after five days.

The tragic sequence of events began in the early hours of January 29, 2022, when O’Keefe was discovered unresponsive in the snow outside a gathering in Canton, Massachusetts. He was 46 at the time of his death. Read, 45, faced allegations of fatally striking O’Keefe with her vehicle while driving under the influence. An autopsy later revealed that O’Keefe died from blunt force trauma and hypothermia after being found with significant injuries.

Prosecutors contended that Read had dropped O’Keefe off at the gathering and then backed over him, while defense attorneys claimed that O’Keefe had suffered injuries during a dispute at the party. They posited that he may have been attacked by a dog, given the nature of the wounds.

Throughout the ordeal, Read maintained her innocence, alleging a cover-up by law enforcement. Her defense team argued that evidence had been improperly handled, suggesting a motive to protect one of their own.

As the community reflects on the verdict, the case remains a sobering reminder of the complexities surrounding tragic incidents like this. The legal battle may have concluded for Read, but its implications will resonate in the community for some time.

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