Mistrial Declared in High-Profile Karen Read Murder Case
A Massachusetts judge has declared a mistrial in the case of Karen Read, accused of fatally hitting her police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, while driving drunk and then leaving him to die in January 2022. The decision came after the jury reported being deadlocked for the second time, unable to reach a unanimous verdict despite days of deliberation.
Karen Read, 45, faced charges including second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. She pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey announced the state’s intention to retry the case with a new jury, aiming for justice for O’Keefe. If convicted, Read could face life in prison under Massachusetts law.
Read’s attorney, Alan Jackson, criticized the prosecution’s case, claiming it was based on false charges against an innocent person. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting,” Jackson stated.
The jury received a “dynamite charge” from Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone on Monday morning, a directive to continue deliberations and consider the perspectives of their fellow jurors. This came after they reported being deeply divided. Judge Cannone decided to issue the charge after determining the jury had conducted thorough deliberation.
The case has been fraught with allegations of a police cover-up and investigative misconduct. On the night of January 28, 2022, Read and O’Keefe had been out drinking with friends before driving to the home of one of O’Keefe’s fellow officers for an after-party. O’Keefe’s body was discovered the next morning, bruised and battered, outside the home.
Prosecutors claimed Read and O’Keefe, who had a tumultuous relationship, argued that night, leading to Read drunkenly backing her vehicle into him and fleeing the scene. Prosecutor Adam Lally argued that Read’s driving caused catastrophic head injuries, leaving O’Keefe to die in the cold.
In contrast, the defense alleged that off-duty police officers at the Canton home fatally beat O’Keefe and then framed Read by fabricating evidence. Defense attorney Jackson asserted, “There was a cover-up in this case, plain and simple.”
The trial has attracted significant public interest, marked by accusations of witness tampering and a federal probe into the investigation. Missteps by the prosecution included offensive text messages from lead investigator Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who admitted to calling Read a “whack job” and making other inappropriate comments. Governor Maura Healey condemned the texts as “completely unprofessional.”
If the prosecution proceeds with another trial, they might reconsider their approach, potentially presenting lesser charges or different evidence to address the jury’s concerns. The mistrial provides an opportunity for both sides to reflect on the case and prepare for the next legal battle.
