A Massachusetts jury delivered a verdict on June 18, 2025, finding Karen Read not guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe. The jury, after approximately three days of deliberation, convicted her only of operating under the influence, leading to a sentence of one year probation.
Read faced similar charges in a 2024 trial that ended in a mistrial. Prosecutors argued she ran O’Keefe over with her SUV after a dispute, leaving him to die in freezing temperatures. Read’s defense contended fellow officers assaulted and killed O’Keefe at a party, after which she was framed and evidence was mishandled. The jury’s compromise verdict suggests lingering doubt about the exact circumstances of his death.
Outside the courtroom, supporters celebrated Read’s freedom with cheers and pink confetti, while O’Keefe’s family expressed profound disappointment and grief. Key witnesses have described the verdict as a “miscarriage of justice,” criticizing conspiracy theories presented by the defense. Read’s father expressed relief, saying the verdict lifted a significant burden.
Investigative flaws loomed large throughout both trials. Prosecutors relied on circumstantial evidence—such as a broken taillight and hair on Read’s vehicle—while the defense highlighted ejecting officers, questioned forensic methods, and pointed to biased conduct by lead detective Michael Proctor, who has since been dismissed. They argued O’Keefe’s injuries were inconsistent with a car impact and instead pointed to a violent altercation at a party.
Several legal experts, including a professor at Northeastern University, described the verdict as a compromise—acquitting Read of murder while convicting her of OUI. They note that her status and public narrative likely influenced the jury’s decision. Read’s ability to fight the charges without bail and present her case in the media, contrasted with those lacking similar resources, highlights systemic inequities in the justice system.
Read now faces a civil wrongful-death lawsuit filed by O’Keefe’s family. Meanwhile, she remains under probation for DUI, pending sentencing. The case has sparked broader conversation about law enforcement accountability, forensic integrity, and the power of narrative in high-profile criminal trials.
