Karen Read Acquitted of Murder
Dedham, MA — June 18, 2025 – After a second high-profile trial, a Massachusetts jury cleared former college professor Karen Read of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. They found her guilty only of driving under the influence, resulting in a one-year probation sentence.
A Case Marked by Mystery and Controversy
John O’Keefe, 46, was discovered dead in a snowbank on January 29, 2022, with hypothermia and severe head injuries . His death sparked two major theories:
- Prosecutors’ version: Read, allegedly intoxicated, reversed her SUV into O’Keefe and left him to die .
- Defense’s claim: O’Keefe was killed inside a house party, possibly in a fight or by a dog, and his body was later staged outside to frame Read .
Trial Turns and a Controversial Investigation
Read’s initial trial in April 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a split jury . New developments in her April 2025 retrial included:
- Prosecutorial flaws: The lead trooper in the case, Michael Proctor, was accused of bias, subject to vulgar texts, and mishandling evidence .
- Forensic questions: Disputed blood alcohol levels (estimated BAC up to 0.29%), ambiguous taillight damage and danger, and conflicting witness testimonies all Muddied the Picture .This picture show witness investigation.
- Media and conspiracy: Intense Coverage, including a Docuseries (“A Body in the Snow”) and Online buzz, fueled Public opinion on Both sides .
Verdict After Intense Deliberation
After four days of jury deliberation, Read was found not guilty on the major charges but guilty of operating under the influence of alcohol . She received a one-year probation sentence, reflecting a “compromise verdict” from a contentious trial .
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What Read Said After the Verdict
Outside the courtroom, Read claimed:
“No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have …”
She also thanked her supporters for standing by her during nearly four years of public scrutiny .
In contrast, O’Keefe’s friends and family denounced the verdict as a miscarriage of justice, accusing Read and her team of spreading false conspiracy theories .
What’s Next in the Aftermath
- Read faces a civil wrongful-death lawsuit from O’Keefe’s family, and she has lost her job, privacy, and faced steep legal costs totaling around $5 million .
- Policy-watchers say this case highlights persistent issues with police investigation standards, media influence, and possible institutional bias in the justice system .
Final Thoughts
Although Karen Read was acquitted of the most serious charges, the verdict leaves unresolved questions about what truly happened that night. The case continues to spark debate over flawed investigations, courtroom fairness, and how society handles tragedy in the age of instant media. Read’s probation sentencing and the ongoing civil case ensure this complicated story is far from over.