DEDHAM, MA — (BrooklandNews.com) — June 18, 2025 — In a case that drew national headlines and sparked deep divisions both in the courtroom and online, Karen Read was acquitted of the most serious charges in the death of her former boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
On Wednesday, a Norfolk County jury found Read not guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of personal injury and death, bringing a dramatic close to a trial that lasted nearly two months. However, jurors did convict Read on a lesser charge: operating under the influence of alcohol.
This story originally stated that the conviction occurred on Tuesday, when it actually occurred on Wednesday. The mistake has since been corrected.
Prosecutors had alleged that in the early hours of Jan. 29, 2022, Read backed her SUV into O’Keefe after dropping him off outside a friend’s house in Canton, Massachusetts, during a snowstorm. The defense argued that Read was being framed and that O’Keefe had already entered the home where he was fatally injured under different circumstances.
“From the beginning, the evidence just didn’t add up,” said defense attorney Alan Jackson, during closing arguments. “There was no forensic trail tying Karen to the injuries John suffered.”
Supporters of Read, who regularly filled the courtroom and organized social media campaigns calling for transparency, celebrated the verdict. “Justice was served today,” said one supporter outside the courthouse, holding a sign reading “Free Karen Read.”
Prosecutors expressed disappointment but emphasized respect for the jury’s decision. “While we had hoped for a different outcome, we respect the process and the verdict,” said Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey in a brief statement released after court.
The sole conviction — for operating under the influence — will result in one year of probation for Read, with no jail time. The judge did not impose any additional penalties.
The case is likely to have lasting impact, as it exposed tensions between law enforcement, the public, and the media. A federal civil rights lawsuit is reportedly being considered by Read’s legal team.