Karen Read, acquitted of murder and other charges in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, recently shared her experiences post-verdict. During an interview on the ‘Today’ show, she expressed gratitude for the overwhelmingly positive response from the public. Read noted that she no longer pays for meals when dining out, as a gesture of support from the community.
Read was asked about public perception by co-host Craig Melvin, who pointed out that some individuals might still believe she is guilty despite the jury’s decision. She responded that she rarely encounters negative interactions and enjoys significant support, including discounts and assistance for her parents.
The trials, held at Norfolk County Superior Court, saw Read face charges related to the January 2022 death of O’Keefe, who was found outside a colleague’s home in a blizzard. Prosecutors accused her of hitting O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving the scene. Her defense questioned the investigation’s integrity, particularly due to misconduct by a lead detective.
After a previous jury deadlocked, Read was eventually acquitted of all homicide-related charges, only found guilty of drunken driving. Despite her acquittal, her professional license remains revoked, and she is currently unemployed but actively working with civil lawyers on her case.
Read has initiated a lawsuit against Massachusetts State Police and the Canton Police Department. Her attorney, Alan Jackson, aims to expose what they describe as bias and corruption within the Massachusetts law enforcement system. This suit also addresses allegations including misogyny, racism, and attempts to frame Read for O’Keefe’s death.
In addition to ongoing legal proceedings, Read faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by O’Keefe’s family. When questioned about this, Read declined to comment further, stating her past interactions and shared relationships with O’Keefe’s family spoke for themselves.