Karen Read, the defendant in the closely-watched murder trial, faced another day of deliberations in Norfolk Superior Court. The trial, which has lasted 40 days, centers around Read being charged with second-degree murder, OUI manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Prosecutors allege that Read hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV and left him to die outside a Canton home. However, Read’s defense team argues that she is being framed and that O’Keefe died after a fight inside the home.
The jury, consisting of six men and six women, had already completed 14 hours of deliberations without reaching a verdict by Thursday night. The gravity of the charges against Read cannot be understated. If convicted of murder, she could face a life sentence. The OUI manslaughter charge carries a punishment of five to 20 years in prison, while leaving the scene of a fatal accident could result in up to 10 years behind bars.
As the jury continues to deliberate, Read’s supporters have remained steadfast outside the courthouse, eagerly awaiting a verdict. Their presence has not gone unnoticed, as one supporter expressed their disheartenment at the delay. Throughout the trial, Read has taken the time to interact with her supporters, even pausing to take a photo with a 12-year-old fan who shares a similar medical condition. This interaction provided words of encouragement from Read to the young supporter.
While testimony has concluded, security measures remain in place to ensure order outside the courthouse. A 200-foot buffer zone has been established to keep supporters away from the actual building. State police have also increased their presence, stationing troopers around barricades to maintain control amidst the throngs of supporters and reporters in Dedham.
Deliberations were ongoing on Thursday morning, and the outcome of the trial is still unknown. As developments continue to unfold, it is essential to stay informed through trusted sources like 7NEWS for the latest updates on this case.
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