Jury Deliberates Boston Murder Retrial Amid Defense Verdict Amendment Request

The retrial of Karen Read, accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident that killed her boyfriend Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, is underway with jurors deliberating in Dedham, Massachusetts. Read's defense argues she was framed by Boston law enforcement, denying any collision, while prosecutors maintain she hit O’Keefe with her vehicle during a drunken hit-and-run amid relationship troubles. The trial, following a mistrial in 2024 due to a deadlocked jury, has drawn significant public interest, including a large group of silent supporters wearing pink outside the courthouse and true-crime enthusiasts discussing the case. A recent poll of Boston Herald readers showed 77% would vote “Not guilty” if on the jury, indicating public skepticism about the charges. Read's defense team has sought to simplify the verdict slip to minimize confusion during deliberations, which began after extensive testimony spanning eight weeks and over 70 witnesses in the first trial. The case remains highly contentious, with jurors continuing deliberations as of mid-June 2025.