The high-profile murder trial for Karen Read, a 44-year-old financial analyst from Mansfield, Massachusetts, ended in a mistrial as the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict. Read is accused of hitting and killing her boyfriend, former Boston police officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV during a snowstorm in January 2022. Supporters of Read, who has pleaded not guilty to several charges including second-degree murder, rallied outside the courthouse wearing “Free Karen Read” shirts.
The case has drawn attention due to allegations of a coverup involving law enforcement, with Read’s supporters claiming she is the victim of a conspiracy. Blogger Aidan Kearney, a key supporter, was arrested on charges of witness intimidation related to the case.
The trial revealed conflicting narratives, with prosecutors arguing that Read hit O’Keefe with her SUV while defense attorneys claimed O’Keefe was killed during a fight and his body was brought outside. Lead attorneys David Yannetti and Alan Jackson will represent Read in a retrial scheduled for 2025. Judge Beverly Cannone, who has faced recusal requests, has overseen all proceedings.
The mistrial comes after jurors were unable to reach a unanimous verdict despite indications of division. The defense claims that some jurors anonymously reached verdicts of not guilty on certain charges, leading to a scheduled hearing for dismissal arguments. The retrial has been set for January 2025. The case has sparked controversy and speculation, with ongoing scrutiny of key figures, including law enforcement officials and witnesses involved in the trial.
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