Karen Read, previously a financial analyst and college professor in Massachusetts, captured media attention in early 2022. Her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, was found dead in late January that year.
In June 2022, Read was indicted on murder charges related to O’Keefe’s death. She pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors accused her of intentionally striking O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV. They alleged she left him in a snowstorm following a heated argument, resulting in his death.
The initial trial was scheduled for April 2024. Her defense was robust, featuring renowned lawyer Alan Jackson, known for helping Kevin Spacey achieve acquittal on sexual assault charges in 2019. Despite the strong defense, the trial concluded with a hung jury.
Read faces serious charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, and fleeing the scene of a fatal accident. Throughout the legal proceedings, she has consistently maintained her innocence.