A mistrial has been declared in the Karen Read case after a jury was unable to reach a verdict on charges that she murdered her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, John O’Keefe. The district attorney’s office has stated that they intend to retry the case after jurors were deadlocked. O’Keefe was found dead with multiple injuries outside a house party in Canton.
Prosecutors argued that Read killed O’Keefe in an act of domestic violence by driving over him with an SUV while under the influence and fleeing the scene. Read pleaded not guilty to the charges, including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a deadly crash. Her defense team claimed she was framed by corrupt officials covering up O’Keefe’s murder.
During the trial, conflicts of interest were highlighted, including sexist texts sent by the lead investigator, state trooper Michael Proctor, calling Read derogatory names. Proctor has since been relieved of duty and transferred. The defense also claimed O’Keefe was beaten in the basement of the house and attacked by a dog before being dragged outside.
The mistrial decision sparked celebration among Read’s supporters, but prosecutors immediately announced their intent to retry the case. The statement thanked O’Keefe’s family for seeking justice. The new trial will require a fresh jury to determine Read’s guilt or innocence in the murder of Officer O’Keefe.
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