Jury finds Karen Read not guilty in death of former Boston police officer John O'Keefe

The verdict occurred during Read's second trial, after the first ended in a mistrial last year. Read did not testify in either trial.

Published: June 18, 2025 3:39pm

A Massachusetts jury on Wednesday acquitted Karen Read on all charges related to the death of her former boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who died more than three years ago.

The verdict occurred during Read's second trial, after the first ended in a mistrial last year. Read did not testify in either trial.

Read had been accused of hitting O'Keefe with her car outside a Boston house party and then leaving O'Keefe to die in a snow storm. However, her defense claimed the ex-cop was beaten and bitten by a dog and left in the cold, per the New York Post.

The jury found her not guilty of murder in the second degree, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a collision that caused the death of O'Keefe. She was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, NBC News reported.

The verdict occurred during the fourth day of deliberations and after two months of testimony.

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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