Karen Read Cleared of Murder in Boyfriend’s Death, Convicted of DUI

Karen Read, accused in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, was found not guilty of second-degree murder on Wednesday but was convicted of the lesser charge of drunk driving. This verdict marks a significant development in this highly scrutinized case.

The jury arrived at this conclusion after at least 22 hours of deliberation since June 13. The case has attracted widespread attention and has polarized public opinion almost a year after an initial jury became hopelessly divided over Read’s involvement in the January 2022 death of John O’Keefe, prompting a judge to declare a mistrial.

It’s a significant victory for Read’s legal team, who steadfastly asserted she was set up by the police after dropping off O’Keefe at a party at another officer’s residence. The prosecution argued that Read, 45, struck O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV before fleeing the scene. In contrast, the defense maintained that O’Keefe was killed inside the house and later moved outside.

Turning now to the broader implications, Read faced a litany of charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter in addition to leaving the scene outside Boston. A conviction of second-degree murder would have resulted in a life sentence. Just as in the first trial, attorneys spent months presenting their case, featuring hundreds of pieces of evidence and numerous witnesses.

As the dust settles on this polarizing case, this verdict raises important questions about the role of evidence, the influence of public opinion, and the pursuit of justice. It is a reminder that every story has multiple sides, and the significance of this should not be overlooked.