Karen Read faces murder trial over police boyfriend's death
- Karen Read's retrial follows a previous mistrial due to a deadlocked jury regarding the circumstances surrounding John O'Keefe's death in January 2022.
- Prosecutors allege that Read intentionally hit O'Keefe with her SUV and left him in the snow, while the defense claims there is no evidence of such a collision.
- The outcome of this trial could result in a life sentence for Read if she is convicted.
In the United States, Karen Read is undergoing a retrial in the death of her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, who was found dead outside a fellow officer's home after a night of drinking on January 29, 2022. During the opening statements, the prosecution claimed that Read intentionally struck O'Keefe with her Lexus SUV during an argument, asserting that her own statements would confirm this. The defense, however, argued that there was no collision and that O'Keefe's death was a result of police misconduct, asserting that the investigation was flawed and motivated by a desire to protect fellow officers. The jury is tasked with determining whether Read's actions constituted murder or if there is reasonable doubt about her guilt, as both sides present starkly contrasting narratives. The trial, which follows an initial mistrial due to jury deadlock, could lead to a sentence of life in prison if Read is found guilty.