DEDHAM, Mass. – A jury of six women and six men will resume deliberations in the murder trial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with an SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm. Read, 44, of Mansfield, faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.
During deliberations, Judge Beverly Cannone addressed a question from the jury regarding a report from the Special Emergency Response Team of the Massachusetts State Police. Cannone informed the jury that all evidence necessary for reaching a verdict had been provided, and no additional evidence would be considered.
The trial has been marked by a media frenzy, fueled by a heightened distrust of law enforcement and amplified by crime bloggers. The defense team argues that investigators focused on Read as a convenient scapegoat, redirecting attention away from other potential suspects, including Brian Albert and Brian Higgins, both linked to the case.
Testimony from a former Massachusetts police toxicologist revealed Read’s blood alcohol content on the morning of the incident, highlighting conflicting accounts and raising questions surrounding the circumstances of O’Keefe’s death. The trial also featured witnesses and experts offering differing opinions on the injuries sustained by O’Keefe, suggesting discrepancies in the prosecution’s narrative.
In his closing arguments, defense attorney Alan Jackson alleged a cover-up in the case, emphasizing manipulated evidence and a biased investigation aimed at protecting law enforcement members. Conversely, prosecutor Adam Lally presented a timeline supported by evidence, quoting witnesses who claimed to have heard Read confess to hitting O’Keefe.
Despite expressing readiness to testify, Read opted not to take the stand in her defense. The trial continues to unfold with deliberations ongoing, as the jury weighs the evidence presented in this high-profile case.