Karen Read Acquitted in Boston Officer’s Death Retrial

Karen Read was acquitted of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident in the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, but was found guilty only of operating under the influence of alcohol and sentenced to one year of probation. The high-profile retrial drew national attention, public activism, and celebrations from Read’s supporters outside Norfolk Superior Court. Jurors pointed to significant flaws in the police investigation, with at least one stating he believed Read was completely innocent and there was insufficient proof of a collision involving her car. The case was marked by allegations of police misconduct and conspiracy theories, while O’Keefe’s family and friends expressed ongoing grief and frustration after the verdict. Prosecutors declined to comment, and Read’s legal team called the outcome a triumph of justice. The verdict followed a previous mistrial and was fueled by intense media scrutiny and widespread debate, including coverage by independent bloggers.