A Massachusetts jury on Wednesday acquitted Karen Read of murder in the high-profile death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, closing a case that has gripped the public and sparked intense debate for more than two years.
According to the BBC, Read was found not guilty of all serious charges but was convicted of driving under the influence and will serve a one-year probation term without prison time.
Read, now 44, had been accused of fatally striking O’Keefe with her vehicle outside the home of another police officer in January 2022, then leaving him in a snowbank amid freezing conditions. Prosecutors argued she acted in anger, driven by alcohol and a deteriorating relationship with O’Keefe. The deceased officer was a 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department.
The jury, following four days of deliberation, determined there was insufficient evidence to convict Read of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, or leaving the scene of a collision. She was found guilty only of operating a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Under an agreement reached by both legal teams, she will avoid incarceration and instead serve probation for one year. Wednesday’s verdict marked the conclusion of Read’s second trial. Her initial trial ended in a deadlock in July 2024, when jurors could not reach a unanimous decision. After a retrial was scheduled, Read again pleaded not guilty and maintained her innocence throughout the proceedings.
Arguments Pointed to Conflicting Theories
During the retrial, Read’s attorneys contended that she was being wrongly blamed to shield others potentially responsible for O'Keefe’s death. Her defense suggested O’Keefe had been assaulted inside the home of a fellow officer, possibly injured by a dog, and later left outside in the snow.
Prosecutors countered that theory, insisting Read was intoxicated and furious on the night of the incident. They claimed she intentionally reversed her SUV into O'Keefe during an argument, then abandoned him in sub-zero temperatures as a snowstorm hit the area. The courtroom saw detailed forensic testimony, emotional statements from both sides, and challenges from observers concerning law enforcement conduct. The jury remained anonymous following the trial, with their names withheld from the public as per court filings. Outside the Norfolk County courthouse in Dedham, loud cheers erupted when the not-guilty verdicts were announced. A crowd of supporters, many dressed in pink—a show of solidarity with Read—celebrated her acquittal.
Courtroom Emotions and Supporters' Reaction
As the verdict was delivered, Read appeared overwhelmed with emotion. She embraced members of her defense team and cried openly. Her father, William Read, stood beside her and publicly thanked the various bloggers and digital content creators who had shared material in support of her case. “All the content providers who helped spread the word,” he said, “we are grateful.”
Among those present was Aidan “Turtleboy” Kearney, a controversial blogger who advocated strongly in Read’s defense throughout the trial. Kearney made the American Sign Language gesture for “I love you” toward the crowd, a symbol that many of Read's supporters used during rallies and online debates. Kearney himself is facing charges of interfering with witnesses, though he denies any wrongdoing.
Chants of “Free Karen Read” filled the courthouse steps as flags waved and supporters sang patriotic songs. The trial generated significant media buzz, drawing attention to the gaps people perceived in the prosecution's case and prompting widespread speculation about how O’Keefe died.
Case-Inspired Media Projects and Public Debate
The trial's wide-reaching impact extended beyond the courtroom, generating well-known podcasts, a Hulu docuseries, and an upcoming Netflix documentary. Many who followed the case online pointed to alleged inconsistencies in the prosecution’s narrative and praised Read’s defense for highlighting alternative theories of the crime.
Despite the celebrations from Read’s supporters, some who testified during the trial publicly criticized the jury’s decision. In a joint statement, several unnamed witnesses expressed frustration, saying the case had been undermined by misinformation. They described it as “a devastating miscarriage of justice” and accused Read, her legal team, and media allies of fueling unsubstantiated conspiracy theories.
Read’s background came into focus during the proceedings. Before the trial, she worked as an adjunct professor at Bentley University and held a position at Fidelity Investments as an equity analyst. Her relationship with O’Keefe, which prosecutors called volatile, had lasted about two years before his death.
The O’Keefe Family Did Not Speak After Verdict
Following the conclusion of the case, the O’Keefe family left the courthouse without issuing a public statement. Officer O’Keefe was 46 years old at the time of his death and had earned respect within the Boston Police Department over his 16-year tenure.
In remarks shortly after the verdict, Read insisted she had sought justice for her late boyfriend from the beginning. “No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have,” she said, her voice breaking with emotion. The verdict leaves lingering questions about the events that unfolded on that snowy January night in 2022. With the criminal portion of the case now resolved, attention may soon turn to civil lawsuits, possible misconduct investigations, and continued media exploration of what happened.
