A mistrial was declared in the murder trial of Karen Read, accused of killing her police officer boyfriend after jurors were deadlocked. The trial unfolded over nine weeks outside Boston, with Read’s lawyers alleging a cover-up orchestrated by law enforcement officers. Prosecutors argued that Read fatally struck John O’Keefe, her boyfriend, with her SUV and left him for dead. She faced charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. Despite efforts to reach a verdict, the jury remained divided. Prosecutors intend to retry the case.
The defense claimed that O’Keefe was framed by officers who wanted to conceal a beating he allegedly suffered during a gathering at a home where his body was found. They argued that the lead investigator, Trooper Michael Proctor, manipulated evidence and failed to properly investigate O’Keefe’s death. Contrasting accounts of the events leading to O’Keefe’s death were presented, with the defense pointing to a third-party culprit defense, suggesting a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent as a potential suspect.
Physical evidence, including vehicle data and testimony from witnesses, conflicted with the defense’s claims. The prosecution argued that Read had struck O’Keefe, leading to his death. The medical examiner attributed O’Keefe’s cause of death to blunt force trauma and hypothermia. A forensic engineer testified that O’Keefe’s injuries would have been more severe if he had been struck by a vehicle traveling at a high speed. The case will proceed to a status hearing later this month as the legal battle continues.
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