A judge declared a mistrial Monday in the high-profile case of Karen Read, accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. The case, which captivated true crime enthusiasts and conspiracy theorists alike, ended in a deadlock after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict despite weeks of deliberation.
Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, faced charges of second-degree murder and other offenses in connection with the death of O’Keefe, a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. O’Keefe was found outside a fellow officer’s home in Canton in January 2022, with an autopsy revealing he died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.
Prosecutors alleged that Read and O’Keefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at the home of Officer Brian Albert, hitting him with her SUV as she left. “The defendant repeatedly said, ‘I hit him. I hit him. Oh my God. I hit him,’” stated Prosecutor Adam Lally, referencing Read’s alleged statements after O’Keefe was found.
The defense portrayed Read as a victim of a rushed and biased investigation. They suggested that O’Keefe was killed inside Albert’s home, dragged outside, and left to die. “You have been lied to,” defense attorney Alan Jackson told the jury during closing arguments, asserting that the case was a “cover-up” to protect other officers.
The trial featured significant evidence of police misconduct. Lead investigator State Trooper Michael Proctor admitted to sending offensive texts about Read during the investigation, which he later apologized for, though he maintained they did not influence his work. Additionally, police acknowledged using unorthodox methods to collect evidence, including red plastic cups and a leaf blower.
Forensic experts were divided on whether O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with being struck by Read’s SUV, which had a broken taillight. The defense pointed to injuries that suggested an altercation and the presence of Albert’s aggressive dog as potential factors in O’Keefe’s death. The jury was unable to reach a consensus on these conflicting accounts.
Read’s supporters, identifiable by their pink attire, gathered outside the Norfolk Superior Court daily, carrying signs reading “Free Karen Read” and expressing their belief in her innocence. “This case has been a circus,” one supporter remarked, criticizing the media attention and alleged investigative flaws.
Despite the mistrial, prosecutors signaled their intention to retry the case, continuing to assert that Read was responsible for O’Keefe’s death. The case will now return to court, prolonging the search for justice in a deeply polarizing and contentious trial.
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