In Dedham, Massachusetts, a jury acquitted Karen Read of second-degree murder and manslaughter charges on June 18, 2025, concerning the 2022 death of her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer. The case garnered significant attention from true crime followers, and the verdict prompted cheers from supporters who gathered outside the courtroom.
While Read was found not guilty of the more severe charges, the same jury convicted her of a lesser offense: drunken driving. The deliberations lasted for at least 22 hours, with the verdict culminating nearly a year after a previous jury had reached a deadlock on the case, resulting in a mistrial.
Emotions ran high as the verdict was read. Read left the courthouse with her family and attorneys, amidst celebrations that resembled those of sports fans after a championship victory. Read's defense team argued that she was framed by law enforcement following the incident, asserting that O’Keefe’s death occurred inside a home after a party, rather than as a result of a hit-and-run by Read’s SUV. Prosecutors countered that the 45-year-old Read abandoned O’Keefe after striking him, leading to his demise in the snow.
In a statement following the verdict, Read expressed her commitment to seeking justice for O’Keefe. Meanwhile, members of O’Keefe’s family exited the courtroom somberly, and prosecutors chose not to speak to reporters outside.
This verdict notably highlighted disparities in the legal system, as several commentators pointed out the privileges Read enjoyed, such as being able to post bail and work with her defense team outside of jail. Shira Diner, a lecturer at Boston University Law School, remarked on how the outcome might have differed if Read had not been a white woman with resources. Diner noted, “The criminal legal system is full of inequities, and the fact the defendant in this case was able to post bail and wasn’t held in custody... made a huge difference.”
Some witnesses expressed their condolences for O’Keefe's family, while others claimed that the prosecution had been tainted by falsehoods and conspiracies propagated by Read’s defense team and supporters. This group indicated that they believed the trial represented a miscarriage of justice.
Outside the courthouse, the atmosphere was described as festive, with supporters of Read throwing pink confetti and expressing their excitement over the verdict. T.D. Floras, a Read supporter, even brought her dog adorned with a sign that read "Free Karen," and expressed relief that Read could now find peace after enduring a prolonged legal battle.
Throughout the trial, attorneys presented extensive evidence and numerous witnesses. Read’s defense maintained that O’Keefe had been beaten and then left to die as part of a conspiracy involving police. Prosecutors characterized Read as a heartless individual who chose to drive away after critically injuring her boyfriend.
The prosecution’s case was led by special prosecutor Hank Brennan, who emphasized that O’Keefe required urgent help that night and pointed the finger at Read’s alleged wrongdoing. In contrast, Read’s defense pushed back strongly against the notion that a collision had ever occurred, arguing that no evidence supported the idea that O’Keefe had been hit by a vehicle.
The courtroom drama drew not only emotional reactions but also significant legal commentary, with some experts describing the outcome as a compromise verdict. Law professor Daniel Medwed remarked that the jury might have sought accountability through the drunken driving conviction while harboring doubts about the more serious murder charges.
The completion of the trial and Read’s subsequent acquittal closed a tumultuous chapter that had captivated a wide audience and invoked discussions of justice, privilege, and equity within the legal system.
