Karen Read, the defendant in an ongoing murder trial, returned to Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham as the jury began its third day of deliberations. The trial, which has spanned two months, had both sides presenting their closing arguments on Tuesday before the case was handed over to the jury. Read is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, for allegedly hitting her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her car and leaving him to die in the snow outside a Canton home in 2022.
However, the defense argues that Read is being framed and claims that O’Keefe actually died after a fight inside the home of Brian and Nicole Albert. The case has attracted significant attention and controversy, with loyal Read supporters gathering outside the courtroom daily.
Inside the courtroom, tensions rose during Tuesday’s proceedings when Read’s defense team raised concerns about the verdict forms. Each charge against Read has a corresponding form with checkboxes for “guilty” and “not guilty.” However, one form also included lesser charges as options if the jury does not convict on the primary charge, with only a “guilty” option available for the lesser charges.
Attorney Alan Jackson questioned how the jury could decide on a verdict of “not guilty” for involuntary manslaughter without that specific option on the form. Judge Beverly Cannone responded that it was up to the jury to make that decision. The exchange grew tense when Read appeared to smile, prompting Cannone to reprimand her.
In response to the defense’s concerns, Cannone agreed to provide additional instructions to the jury and promised to amend the wording on the verdict form to clarify their options. Jackson expressed his satisfaction with these changes, stating that it was exactly what they had asked for.
The following day, as deliberations continued, the jury requested a certain report related to the Read investigation. However, Cannone informed them that the report was not in evidence and stated, “You have all the evidence in the case.” She made it clear that no additional evidence would be provided.
As the jurors resumed their deliberations, Read’s father was asked how it felt to wait for a verdict. His response was succinct: “It’s hell.”
The trial remains ongoing, and further updates will be provided by 7NEWS.
