The trial of Karen Read, who was charged with second-degree murder in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, has ended in a mistrial. Judge Beverly Cannone made the announcement after the jury failed to reach a verdict after deliberating for five days. The jury was split, with some members believing that the evidence met the prosecution’s burden of proof, while others felt that it did not. In light of this impasse, continuing deliberations would have been futile.
Members of O’Keefe’s family were visibly emotional upon hearing the mistrial declaration. Read hugged her family members before her defense team discussed scheduling a court date to consider the next steps in the case. Outside the courthouse, defense attorney Alan Jackson expressed his reaction, stating that the prosecution had failed miserably. He accused them of bringing spurious charges based on compromised investigations and witnesses.
The case dates back to 2022 when O’Keefe was found unresponsive in a snowbank outside Brian and Nicole Albert’s home in Canton. Read was arrested three days later and was arraigned on initial charges the following day. During her arraignment, the prosecution alleged that Read hit O’Keefe while dropping him off at the Alberts’ home after a night of drinking. However, Read pleaded not guilty, and her defense team claimed that investigators were involved in a cover-up, asserting that O’Keefe died after a fight inside the house.
This case has attracted widespread attention due to the allegations of a law enforcement cover-up and the controversy surrounding the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. Read’s supporters have gathered at her pre-trial hearings, and her defense team sought to implicate several individuals, including Brian Albert, federal agent Brian Higgins, and Albert’s nephew Colin Albert, in O’Keefe’s death. However, all three individuals denied any involvement and were among the more than 60 witnesses called to testify against Read.
Throughout the proceedings, the case has been mired in controversy and speculation, with the internet playing a significant role. Aidan Kearney, who extensively covered the Read case on his blog, Turtleboy, was arrested on multiple witness intimidation charges linked to the case. Kearney’s lawyer argued that he was exercising his First Amendment rights, but he was later held without bail due to new accusations of assault and battery.
With the mistrial declared, questions remain about what will happen next. It is unclear if Read will face the same charges in the retrial. State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who served as the lead investigator into O’Keefe’s death, has also come under scrutiny due to graphic texts he sent about Read. Governor Maura Healey expressed her disgust at Proctor’s behavior, stating that it harmed the dignity and integrity of law enforcement.
Read will next appear in court on July 22, as all parties involved in the case prepare for the road ahead. Despite the mistrial, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office has stated its intention to retry Read. As this story continues to develop, stay tuned to 7NEWS for the latest updates.
