In a dramatic conclusion to a high-profile retrial, Karen Read, 45, was acquitted on Wednesday of all major charges linked to the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. After more than 20 hours of deliberation, a Norfolk County jury found her guilty only of a lesser charge—operating under the influence (OUI). The verdict spared Read from a possible life sentence and prompted emotional reactions both inside and outside the courtroom.
Read, a resident of Mansfield, had been facing charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The verdict marked the end of a seven-week trial that included 31 days of testimony. As the jury’s foreman read out the decisions, Read broke into tears while supporters outside the courthouse erupted in applause. Meanwhile, the victim’s family, including O’Keefe’s brother Paul, left the courtroom in silence after hearing the final verdict.
Speaking outside the courthouse, Read declared, “No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have.” Her father, Bill Read, expressed gratitude and a sense of relief, stating, “We need to get our life back together, and we will.”
Jury Decision and Sentencing Reflect Lesser Conviction
Judge Beverly J. Cannone presided over the case, and court proceedings took a sudden turn midday Wednesday when jurors initially signaled they had reached a verdict—only to reverse course briefly before confirming their final decision. The jury ultimately chose the least severe charge available under the law, rejecting the prosecution’s murder and manslaughter theories.
Due to safety concerns raised by at least one juror during the first trial, the court ordered the jury list impounded for a minimum of 10 days. Prosecutor Hank Brennan, who replaced the previous lead prosecutor for this retrial, recommended that Read be sentenced to a standard first-time OUI penalty: enrollment in the state’s 24(d) alcohol program, probation, and license suspension. Defense attorney David Yannetti agreed with the proposal, emphasizing that Read sought no special treatment. Judge Cannone concurred, stating, “I’m happy to do it.”
Retired Superior Court Judge Jack Lu commented on the outcome, calling it “a stunning win for the defense.” He added that first-time OUI convictions in Massachusetts rarely lead to jail time, indicating that Read likely faces only administrative penalties moving forward.
Contrasting Theories Highlighted During the Retrial
The prosecution alleged that Read, in a jealous and intoxicated state, struck John O’Keefe with her vehicle and abandoned him during a winter storm. “She got drunk, she hit him, she left him to die,” said Brennan during closing arguments. However, the defense countered with a detailed analysis of the evidence, arguing that John O’Keefe’s injuries were inconsistent with being struck by a vehicle and cited investigative failures by police.
Defense attorney Alan Jackson emphasized the lack of trauma typical of a vehicle strike and accused investigators of conducting a flawed and biased probe. “Reasonable doubt abounds,” Jackson told jurors. Legal analysts noted the defense’s strategic shift from suggesting another perpetrator to focusing more on forensic inconsistencies in this retrial—an approach that proved decisive in securing the acquittal.
The case has sparked public debate over law enforcement integrity and prosecutorial conduct, with the final verdict leaving a complex legacy in one of Massachusetts’ most closely watched trials in recent years.
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