Disclaimer: Article contains references to murder. Readers are advised to exercise caution.
LIVE: MA v. Karen Read, Motions to Dismiss | Murder or Cover-up
On January 29, 2022, authorities discovered the dead body of Boston police officer John O'Keefe outside his friend's Canton home. According to reports, first responders claimed they heard O'Keefe's girlfriend, Karen Read, say she was "hitting" him. Authorities soon launched an investigation and charged her with second-degree murder. Read pleaded not guilty to the charges and went to trial, which began in April 2024 and lasted nearly two months. In July, a judge declared a mistrial after the jury confirmed they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
During the pre-trial hearing, Karen Read spoke to reporters and claimed that she had done nothing. Instead, she said that she was the one who tried to save O'Keefe. CBS News quoted her statement, noting, "I tried to save his life. I tried to save his life at 6 o'clock in the morning, I was covered in his blood." Her attorneys also claimed that someone else was behind the crime and that their client was being framed. Meanwhile, the prosecution alleged that witnesses in the case were being bullied. In April 2024, the trial finally began and jurors heard the 911 calls from the day authorities discovered John O'Keefe's body.
According to another CBS News report, jurors heard the witnesses' testimonies. In addition, prosecutors argued that Karen Read was responsible for O'Keefe's death and that no one else was involved. On the other hand, the defense clarified that there was a cover-up in the case and criticized the prosecution for "laughable" evidence. After the arguments, the jury deliberated for several days and noted that they could not reach a unanimous decision. As a result, the judge declared it a "mistrial." According to NBC News, Karen Read will be retried in the murder case of John O'Keefe in January 2025.
