Karen Read has officially been found not guilty in one of Massachusetts’ most watched murder trials in years.
The 45-year-old was cleared on June 18 of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of a deadly collision in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. Speaking outside the courthouse shortly after the verdict, Karen Read broke her silence, emotionally thanking her supporters and claiming no one fought harder for justice for O’Keefe than she did.
“I just want to say two things,” she told the gathered crowd. “I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team.” Then, directly addressing the case itself, she added, “The second thing I want to say is that no one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have.”
Read’s high-profile legal battle began in January 2022 after she was accused of hitting O’Keefe with her car while drunk, then leaving him to die in the snow outside a house party in Canton during a brutal blizzard. O’Keefe, 46, was found unconscious outside the home of Brian Albert, a fellow law enforcement officer. Prosecutors alleged that Read was the last to see him alive after a night of drinking. However, the jury ultimately didn’t buy it.
Though Read was convicted of the lesser charge of operating under the influence, she won’t be serving time. Instead, she was sentenced to one year of probation.
This was Read’s second time on trial for the alleged crime. Her first trial ended in 2024 with a hung jury after 25 hours of deliberation. During this most recent trial, which began in April, Read’s defense team launched a fiery argument that she had been framed by members of law enforcement to cover up a fight that happened inside Albert’s house, where O’Keefe was allegedly attacked before being dragged outside.
“There was no collision,” said defense attorney Alan Jackson during his closing arguments, repeating it for emphasis. Jackson shredded the investigation, accusing lead investigator Michael Proctor of failing to even enter the house where the party occurred. “Their investigation was flawed from the start because their investigator was corrupted from the start,” he claimed. “They cannot prove a collision. John O’Keefe was not hit by a car.”
The defense painted the state’s case as a corrupt cover-up, arguing that Read became the perfect scapegoat to protect those inside the house that night, many of whom were current or former law enforcement officers.
The outcome of this trial has divided public opinion, but Read’s supporters have remained vocal, showing up at court in droves throughout the case. Many expressed relief and celebration upon hearing the not guilty verdict, while others, particularly those close to O’Keefe, are still looking for answers about what really happened that night.
Despite walking free, Karen Read’s legal journey isn’t completely over. Her name remains tied to a deeply polarizing case that has raised serious questions about police investigations, accountability, and corruption within the system. Whether more legal fallout is coming remains to be seen, but for now, Read is a free woman, and ready to reclaim her life.
Jamie Wells has a knack for getting the inside scoop on Hollywood’s biggest stars and up-and-coming talent. With a sharp eye for industry trends and an ear for viral moments, Jamie covers everything from red-carpet events to behind-the-scenes drama in movies, TV, and celebrity culture.
