The moment that Karen Read, her family, her lawyers, and her supporters had been waiting for had finally arrived.
A jury found Read not guilty of second-degree murder and other severe charges in connection with the death of her partner, who was a police officer, in January 2022. The verdict was handed out on Wednesday, June 18.
In the case of the death of her partner, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, which occurred in January 2022, the jury only found her guilty of operating under the influence of booze.
Instantaneously after the announcement of the decision, Read embraced her attorneys and shed tears in the courtroom.
Once she left the courtroom in Dedham, Massachusetts, some forty minutes later, Read was greeted by wild shouts from the large number of fans who had been waiting outside for her.
She addressed the audience when she was standing on the steps of the courtroom, in front of a wall of microphones, close to one of her lawyers, Alan Jackson, and her father, William Read.
“There are two things that I would like to say,” she said. The first thing I want to say is that I would not be standing here today if it were not for these incredible supporters who have been there for me and my team for over four years, not just financially but also emotionally.
She stated, “The second thing I want to say is that no one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have.” This statement was made as the shouts from the audience became even louder. My team and I have more than I do. I am grateful to you.”
After then, her father took the initiative and made the following statement: “I would like to acknowledge the resilience of our daughter Karen, as well as the support of the entire Read extension family.”
He remarked, “I would like to give credit to the most outstanding group of legal professionals.”
“We would like to express our gratitude to everyone for their heartfelt support,” especially “all of the content providers who assisted in spreading the word.” Many, many thanks to you. May the Lord bless you.
During the fourth day of deliberations in Read’s second trial, the jury reached the verdict that Read was not guilty of the most severe charge, which was second-degree murder. This charge carried a penalty of life in prison.
In addition, they found her not guilty of manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, involuntary manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and fleeing the scene of an accident that resulted in death.
During the fourth day of deliberations in Read’s second trial, the jury reached the verdict that Read was not guilty of the most severe charge, which was second-degree murder. This charge carried a penalty of life in prison.
In addition, they found her not guilty of manslaughter while driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, involuntary manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and fleeing the scene of an accident that resulted in death.
After being taken into custody in 2022, Read entered a plea of not guilty to the allegations against her and fiercely maintained her innocence, claiming that she was the subject of a cover-up by law enforcement.
In the early hours of January 29, 2022, O’Keefe, who was 46 years old at the time, was discovered comatose in the snow outside of a meeting that was taking place at the residence of Brian Albert, who was a Boston police officer at the time.
O’Keefe was discovered in the front yard of Albert’s house at around six o’clock in the morning. He had two black eyes and significant slashes on the back of his head and right arm. The prosecution asserts that Read provided O’Keefe with a ride outside of Albert’s residence, then drove away after colliding with him with her Lexus SUV while she was under the influence of alcohol.
O’Keefe, who supposedly had a long-standing issue with someone at the party, was seriously hurt during an altercation at the party, and given the significant cuts on his arm, the lawyers for Read’s defense contended that O’Keefe may have been attacked by a dog. Read’s attorneys did not provide any evidence to support their claim.
Additionally, the defense said that Read is the beneficiary of a cover-up perpetrated by the police.
In addition, the counsel for Read claimed that the police had fabricated evidence in order to shield one of their own.
Read was given a sentence of one year of probation for the possession of alcohol or drugs allegation on June 18 in court.
Following five days of deliberations, Read’s first trial was ruled a mistrial in July 2024. This was due to the fact that the jury was unable to reach a decision.