Family of John O’Keefe Reacts to Karen Read Acquittal
CANTON, MA — The family of John O’Keefe is grappling with the emotional fallout following the acquittal of Karen Read, who was found not guilty of murder and manslaughter in O’Keefe’s death during a December 2021 incident. Vanessa Rizzitano, O’Keefe’s cousin, described the acquittal as "the worst day of our lives," feeling a deep sense of loss amidst the celebrations of Read’s supporters.
O’Keefe was allegedly struck by Read’s SUV after a night of drinking, and prosecutors claimed she left him to die in a blizzard. However, Read’s defense suggested a flawed investigation, proposing that O’Keefe may have been attacked after an afterparty. In the end, jurors only convicted Read for drunk driving, resulting in a year of probation.
The verdict has not only caused grief for O’Keefe’s family but has also led to online harassment against them, criticized for how they are treated amid a highly publicized trial. Rizzitano expressed outrage at Read’s claim of being a justice advocate for O’Keefe, asserting that his family has been enduring this fight the hardest. The emotional toll has been overwhelming as the family seeks closure.
The case continues to generate national attention, spotlighting issues of justice and family trauma.
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