ILLINOIS — Karen Read, the Massachusetts woman at the center of a nationally watched murder trial, was found not guilty of second-degree murder in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe. The verdict, delivered on June 18, 2025, comes nearly a year after her first trial ended in a mistrial and ends a contentious legal battle that has sharply divided public opinion.
Jury Clears Read of Major Charges
The Norfolk County jury acquitted Read of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a deadly accident, clearing her of the most severe allegations related to O’Keefe’s 2022 death. She was, however, found guilty of operating under the influence of alcohol and was immediately sentenced to one year of probation — a standard penalty for a first-time DUI offense.
The courtroom was filled with emotion as Read embraced her legal team and cried after hearing the verdict. Outside the courthouse, her supporters cheered, having stood by her side throughout the nearly four-year legal saga.
Defense Claimed Conspiracy and Cover-Up
Prosecutors alleged that Read had struck O’Keefe with her vehicle after a night of drinking, leaving him to die in the snow outside the Canton home of fellow officer Brian Albert during a blizzard. However, the defense painted a drastically different picture, asserting that O’Keefe was assaulted inside the house, possibly by a dog or other individuals, and then left outside to die — with Read later becoming a scapegoat.
The case drew national attention, in part due to Read’s claims of corruption within the police force and a cover-up, as well as intense media coverage, including a newly released 20/20 special titled “Karen Read: The Verdict.”
Prosecution and Public Reaction
While Read and her legal team celebrated the decision, others expressed outrage. Witnesses for the prosecution called the acquittal a “devastating miscarriage of justice.” In a joint statement, members of the Albert and McCabe families said they were heartbroken and criticized the defense for promoting what they called “conspiracy theories.”
“Our hearts are with John and the entire O’Keefe family. They have suffered through so much and deserved better from our justice system,” they said.
Legal Drama and Appeals Leading to Retrial
Read’s first trial in July 2024 ended in a mistrial, with the jury unable to reach consensus on manslaughter charges. Several jurors from that trial later confirmed she had already been found not guilty of murder and hit-and-run. Read’s attorneys then argued retrying her on overlapping charges would amount to double jeopardy. Appeals on that claim were denied — all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
In her second trial, Read did not testify and left much of the narrative to her recorded interviews and legal team. Her retrial also included new legal representation, including an alternate juror from her previous trial, attorney Victoria George.
Key Jury Deliberations and Unusual Moments
The jury began deliberations on June 13 and returned the verdict five days later. During deliberations, they submitted several questions, including the implications of mixed verdicts and whether interview footage could be used as evidence.
In a brief but unusual twist, Judge Beverly Cannone revealed that the jury had once indicated they had a verdict but later walked it back — a reminder that no verdict is valid until read in open court.
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What’s Next for Karen Read?
Although she avoided prison time, Karen Read now begins a one-year probation term for the DUI charge. Speaking after the trial, she thanked her supporters and reaffirmed her belief in her own innocence.
“No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have,” Read said.
Whether Read will seek civil remedies or public restitution remains to be seen. For now, the case marks one of the most controversial acquittals in recent years, reigniting debates over justice, law enforcement credibility, and media influence on high-profile trials.
Do you believe justice was served in Karen Read’s case — or do you think the truth still hasn’t come out? Share your thoughts with us at ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
