Karen Read Retrial: Jury Deliberates in High-Profile Case Alleging Police Cover-Up in Officer John O’Keefe’s Death
Karen Read is once again at the center of a sensational Massachusetts murder trial, as jurors deliberate whether she is guilty of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe — or the target of an alleged law enforcement cover-up.
Read, a former equity analyst and college lecturer, is accused of fatally striking O’Keefe with her SUV outside a party in January 2022. Prosecutors claim she hit him during a heated argument and fled the scene, while her defense argues she’s being framed by members of a close-knit police circle trying to hide the real cause of O’Keefe’s death.
This is the second trial for Read. Her first trial ended in a mistrial in July 2024 after jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict following 26 hours of deliberation. The case has gripped the nation, sparking widespread media attention, online debate, and courtroom protests from both Read’s supporters and those demanding justice for O’Keefe.
What Happened the Night Officer John O’Keefe Died?
On January 28, 2022, Karen Read and John O’Keefe were drinking at the Waterfall Bar in Canton, Massachusetts. They later went to a party at Boston Police Sgt. Brian Albert’s home. Read dropped O’Keefe off but didn’t go inside, according to both sides.
The next morning, O’Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow outside Albert’s house. An autopsy revealed he died from a combination of hypothermia and blunt-force trauma.
Prosecutors allege Read ran over O’Keefe while making a three-point turn in her SUV, citing vehicle data, broken taillight fragments at the scene, and a firefighter’s testimony that Read said, “I hit him.” Voicemails from Read to O’Keefe, left that same night, were also played for the jury.
In contrast, the defense claims O’Keefe was attacked inside Albert’s home, possibly by the officer’s dog, and then left outside to die during a snowstorm. Their forensic experts testified that his injuries were inconsistent with being hit by Read’s vehicle.
Accusations of Police Misconduct
The defense has heavily criticized the original investigation, pointing to misconduct by lead investigator Michael Proctor. Texts surfaced from Proctor mocking Read, making crude and sexist remarks, and expressing a desire for her to “kill herself.” Proctor was not called to testify in the second trial and has since been dismissed from the Massachusetts State Police.
Read’s legal team also suggested that police may have planted taillight fragments to frame her, further fueling accusations of a cover-up within the Boston-area law enforcement community.
How Did Karen Read’s First Trial End?
In her initial trial, Read faced charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. The trial, which lasted nearly three months and featured over 70 witnesses, ended in a mistrial after jurors reported being deeply divided.
Following the mistrial, Read gave several media interviews and became the focus of a Vanity Fair article and a true-crime docuseries. Meanwhile, O’Keefe’s family filed a civil wrongful death lawsuit against Read and the bars the couple visited that night. That lawsuit is currently paused until the criminal proceedings conclude.
What’s New in the Second Trial?
While the overall legal arguments remained the same in Read’s retrial, the prosecution opted for a more streamlined case. Fewer witnesses were called, and notably, Proctor was absent from the witness list this time.
Read, as in the previous trial, chose not to testify in her own defense. Jury deliberations began Friday, with the outcome likely to ignite renewed debate and reaction no matter the verdict.
Why Has the Karen Read Case Captivated the Nation?
The Karen Read trial has become a lightning rod for true-crime enthusiasts, justice advocates, and conspiracy theorists alike. The narrative — involving a beloved police officer, a glamorous suspect, allegations of a romantic fallout, and claims of police corruption — has all the ingredients of a real-life drama.
Supporters on both sides have demonstrated outside the Norfolk Superior Court, leading officials to expand a protest buffer zone. Influential bloggers like Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney have fueled online interest, though Kearney himself faces charges for witness intimidation in connection to the case.
As jury deliberations continue, the public remains riveted — awaiting a verdict that could either close the book on this polarizing case or push it further into the national spotlight.
