In a high-profile case that has captivated the nation, Karen Read has been acquitted of murder charges in the retrial over the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The verdict comes after a lengthy legal battle and a previous trial that ended in a hung jury.
The case dates back to 2022 when Read was accused of hitting O’Keefe with her car and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. However, throughout the trial, Read maintained her innocence and alleged that she was the victim of a cover-up by O’Keefe’s fellow officers.
After more than 20 hours of deliberation, a jury found Read not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter but convicted her of drunken driving. The verdict has sparked widespread attention and debate, with many questioning the events leading up to O’Keefe’s death and the handling of the case by law enforcement.
Legal analyst Rikki Klieman, who has been closely following the trial, explained that the jury may have been swayed by the presence of reasonable doubt in the case. Despite the acquittal, questions still remain about the night O’Keefe died and what exactly transpired between him and Read.
As Read moves forward following the verdict, many are left wondering what the future holds for her and how this trial will impact her life. The case has shed light on the complexities of the criminal justice system and the challenges of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Overall, the acquittal of Karen Read in the retrial over her boyfriend’s death has raised important questions about justice, accountability, and the need for transparency in high-profile cases.
References:
1. NPR: [Karen Read’s second murder trial ends with an acquittal](https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/nx-s1-5435406/karen-read-acquitted-trial-verdict-not-guilty)
2. The New York Times: [Karen Read Found Not Guilty of Murder in Boyfriend’s Death Outside Boston](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/us/karen-read-trial-verdict.html)
3. CBS News: [What led to Karen Read’s acquittal in retrial over officer’s death](https://www.cbsnews.com/video/what-led-to-karen-reads-acquittal-in-retrial-over-officers-death/)
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