Karen Read Found Not Guilty of Murdering Boyfriend in Retrial

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The verdict is in for Karen Read’s murder trial.

After the 45-year-old’s re-trial for the death of her boyfriend John O’Keefe in January 2022, it has been determined that she is not guilty of second-degree murder. Additionally, she was acquitted of charges related to manslaughter by motor vehicle while under the influence and fleeing the scene of a collision.

She was convicted of operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor.

In the days following the discovery of O’Keefe’s body, frozen in a snowbank near a residence in Canton, a suburb of Boston, Read was taken into custody and charged with striking the 46-year-old man, a 16-year veteran of the police force, while under the influence, then abandoning him to perish outside a house party amidst heavy snowfall.

Originally, the ex-financial analyst denied the accusations, leading to a deadlock among the jurors during the trial in 2024, resulting in a mistrial.

Over a period of eight weeks starting from April 1, numerous witnesses testified in her second trial, and the media buzzed extensively around this particular case.

In the Investigation Discovery docuseries A Body in Snow: The Trial of Karen Read, as reported by NBC Boston, it was stated during the trial on May 29 that she wondered if perhaps she had accidentally hit him with her vehicle as she was leaving and was unaware of it, or if he intentionally tried to follow her but she didn’t realize it at the time.

She went on to say, “My music is usually loud, now it’s snowing outside, the windshield wipers are working overtime, and the heat is cranked up high. I wonder if someone rear-ended me, I hit his leg, he was inebriated and unconscious, possibly suffocated or something happened?

Instead, Read’s legal team argued that she was being set up to conceal a fight happening within the residence of Brian Albert, a well-known police officer and coworker of O’Keefe’s, prior to his alleged removal onto the lawn.

In his closing argument on June 13, as reported by NBC Boston, defense attorney Alan Jackson emphasized three times that there was no collision. He pointed out that the lead investigator, Michael Proctor, did not enter the house upon arriving at the scene. Jackson argued that the investigation was faulty from the beginning because the investigator was tainted from the start. In simpler terms, he asserted that the evidence presented does not prove that John O’Keefe was struck by a vehicle.

During the retrial, Albert’s sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, who was a crucial witness for the prosecution, claimed that Albert showed “hysterial” conduct after O’Keefe’s demise and had shared with her that there was an issue with the taillight of his car.

According to McCabe’s account as reported by NBC Boston during her April testimony, she stated that Read didn’t recall being at Albert’s home that night. Later on, Read started questioning herself, asking if it was possible she had hit him or if she actually did so.

On the other hand, Read’s legal team argued that her tail light was already damaged before she pulled over to find O’Keefe. They pointed out that the nature of O’Keefe’s injuries did not correspond with those typically caused by a car collision initially.

According to crash expert Andrew Rentschler, who testified on June 11, it’s highly unlikely under the circumstances presented in this case. Our tests and peer-reviewed research don’t support such an outcome. In fact, I haven’t found any evidence that suggests or hints a minor impact like a glancing or sideswipe blow could generate enough force to propel a vehicle 8-10 feet into a yard.

Keep reading for a full look inside the shocking death that took New England by storm…

Karen Read shared with authorities that she, along with her boyfriend John O’Keefe, a Boston Police Officer, spent their evening of January 28, 2022, drinking with friends at C.F. McCarthy’s in Canton, Massachusetts. Following this, they visited Waterfall Bar & Grille nearby for approximately an hour. According to Read, she drove O’Keefe to the Canton residence of Boston Police Detective Brian Albert around midnight and then returned to O’Keefe’s house afterwards.

During the arraignment of Read on manslaughter charges on February 2, 2022, prosecutors claimed that there were indications she struck O’Keefe with her vehicle, then departed the scene, leaving him in the cold weather.

A financial analyst residing in Mansfield reported that she went to Albert’s house the next morning since O’Keefe didn’t return home and couldn’t be reached on his phone. She stated that she contacted a few individuals who were with her, when they discovered him unconscious in the snow outside the Albert property at 6 a.m.

46 years old, the police officer arrived at the scene with visible injuries on his right arm, both eyes swollen shut, and garments soiled with blood and vomit, as stated by the prosecution. He was then taken to Boston’s Good Samaritan Hospital, where he unfortunately passed away later that morning.

Following an autopsy, it was discovered that O’Keefe had sustained several skull fractures and lacerations on his head and nose. Ultimately, the medical examiner determined that his demise resulted from both hypothermia and traumatic injuries caused by blunt force.

On February 1, 2022, the individual was apprehended and accused of manslaughter, fleeing the scene after a fatal motor vehicle accident, and vehicular homicide.

The investigators found her 2021 black Lexus SUV parked at her parents’ home, and it appeared to have a smashed rear taillight and scrapes on the back bumper, as the prosecutors stated.

Read pleaded not guilty Feb. 2 and was released from custody after posting $50,000 bail.

During the court hearing, attorney David Yannetti stated that the manslaughter accusation against his client was an excessive stretch and asserted there was no criminal intent involved on her part. He emphasized that this individual wasn’t a casual acquaintance; instead, she had a deep affection for her boyfriend – the person charged. (As reported by NBC Boston)

The Boston Police Department stated, referring to O’Keefe as a compassionate individual deeply committed to his loved ones, that the individual suspected of causing John’s demise has been apprehended.

At her court appearance, it was stated by prosecutors that one of O’Keefe’s friends who went to search for him told the police that their mutual friend had phoned them at 5 a.m., saying “John is dead. I wonder if he’s dead. It’s snowing, he might have been struck by a plow.

At the trial of Read, Canton firefighter Lt. Anthony Flematti later stated that he overheard her exclaiming at the scene, “I struck him, I struck him. Oh my goodness, I struck him.

Firefighter Katie McLaughlin stated that Read appeared extremely upset and clearly distressed, and additionally overheard Read saying multiple times, “I struck him.

At the trial, it was established that what she shouted at Flematti was essentially, “Did I strike him? Was it possible for me to have struck him?

A different firefighter, Matthew Kelly, declared under oath that he distinctly recalled Read stating, “He’s deceased, he’s absolutely deceased.

A grand jury indicted Read on a charge of second-degree murder on June 9, 2022.

During the court hearing on June 10th, Norfolk County Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally asserted that there had been persistent arguments between defendant Read and the deceased O’Keefe prior to his death. He added that weeks before the incident, O’Keefe attempted to end their relationship, a request that Read reportedly refused. Lally further stated that on the fateful night, under the influence, Read allegedly collided with O’Keefe with her Lexus and subsequently left him to perish in the cold.

Read posted an additional $100,000 bail and later pleaded not guilty to murder.

At the June 10 hearing, Yannetti contended that Read administered CPR to O’Keefe with the aim of resuscitating him. Furthermore, the lawyer argued, the extent of the officer’s injuries did not align with those typically sustained from being struck by a vehicle.

In the courtroom, Yannetti stated, “There are mysterious scratches running along his entire arm. Additionally, he has two black eyes and seems to have a fractured nose. Something more than meets the eye is occurring in this case.

On September 22, 2022, in court, Yannetti asserted that O’Keefe had been brutally assaulted at Albert’s residence. He further claimed that the detective exploited his influence within the Canton Police Department and Massachusetts State Police to conceal the truth by falsely implicating his client.

Yannetti pointed out that Brian Albert’s sibling, Kevin Albert, is another detective with the Canton Police Department. Moreover, Michael Proctor, who led the Read investigation and happens to be a Massachusetts State Trooper, is a close friend of their family. However, it’s been stated by a family representative that Brian retired from the force in 2023 due to an injury. Contrary to speculation, Brian has denied any physical altercation with O’Keefe at his home. Similarly, Kevin and Proctor have both refuted any allegations of misconduct concerning the investigation.

Defense lawyer Alan Jackson expressed on NBC’s Dateline in July 2023 that his client is entirely innocent without a doubt.

According to Jackson, John O’Keefe encountered hostility upon entering that house. He stepped out of a vehicle, entered the house, received an unexpected blow, tumbled down, sustained injuries, and eventually, his body was relocated.

As a seasoned lifestyle guide, let me share some insights from my past experiences. You may recall that I once stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Jackson and Read, esteemed partners at Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP, in a legal battle. In this particular case, we were defending the illustrious Kevin Spacey against sexual assault allegations on Nantucket back in 2016. However, it’s important to note that these charges against the actor ultimately did not proceed further.

In an extensive video statement on August 25, 2023, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey refuted claims of a fight taking place at the Albert residence where O’Keefe was found deceased. He mentioned that eleven individuals had declared they didn’t witness the officer entering the house, and no one reported seeing him go inside. The data retrieved from O’Keefe’s phone, which was discovered under his body, according to Morrissey, suggests that the phone never entered the home.

The prosecutor asserted that it was “unjustifiable” to accuse any of the witnesses of committing murder. Furthermore, he stated that Proctor didn’t have the chance or reason to plant evidence because he did claim that his taillight cracked while leaving the garage, but it was only supposedly damaged after his vehicle was in police custody. Morrissey mentioned that Proctor didn’t have a close personal relationship with anyone involved in the investigation, and any claim suggesting otherwise is false.

During the court hearing in January 2024, Prosecutor Lally contested a defense motion to access the text, call, and social media history between Proctor’s wife and Jennifer McCabe, a person present when O’Keefe’s body was discovered. Lally explained during the hearing that Trooper Proctor has a sister, who has a friend, whose husband has a brother, who is married to Jennifer McCabe.

On April 12, 2023, defense attorneys Yannetti and Jackson announced a stunning revelation: fresh cell phone data from McCabe’s device unearthed evidence irrefutably clearing Karen, as it demonstrated that other individuals were conscious of John’s plight in the snow before she even realized he was missing. I, an ardent fan, can hardly contain my excitement over this game-changing piece of information!

At approximately 2:30 a.m., as stated in an April 12 court motion by the defense, McCabe searched online about “How long does it take to die from cold”, according to NBC Boston.

As an over-the-moon fan, I can’t help but share this intriguing detail: Prosecutors initially stated that it was undecided if my beloved team (defense) had accurately deciphered the raw data. They emphasized that they had continuously requested any concrete evidence from my team that could exonerate their claims.

During Read’s murder trial, McCabe testified that after they discovered O’Keefe, the defendant asked her to look up how long it takes to perish due to coldness. She claimed to have already been researching something else at 2:27 a.m., and then used the same tab to perform the subsequent search. She asserted that she didn’t erase any search history or phone numbers from her log. “I would never abandon John O’Keefe to freeze to death,” she stated, “as he was my cherished friend whom I held dear.

During the trial, the defense presented a computer specialist from their team as a witness to corroborate the claim that the time of McCabe’s search was indeed 6:23 a.m.

In my role as a diligent follower of court proceedings in January 2025, it appeared that prosecutors aimed to prevent the defense’s data expert from testifying once more during the retrial. They submitted a motion stating that his previous “opinions” had been discredited or proved incorrect. Fortunately for the defense, this motion was turned down, allowing their expert to continue testifying.

On February 22, 2024, prosecutors submitted a document outlining findings from the crime scene investigation. This report revealed that O’Keefe’s DNA was discovered on Read’s damaged taillight and a small strand of his hair stuck to the rear passenger side of her Lexus.

The Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab found the victim’s DNA on a shattered taillight and tiny fragments of red and transparent material in the victim’s clothing, according to court documents, as reported by NBC Boston. Further examination revealed that these small pieces of red and clear plastic matched with the broken pieces from the accused’s rear taillight.

During the court proceedings, the defense argued that the DNA evidence found at the scene might have been deliberately planted, which supported their broader claim that Read was falsely accused. However, they also suggested that the DNA could have ended up on the vehicle through some other means apart from it striking O’Keefe.

Yannetti stated outside court on June 14, as reported by CBS Boston, “The evidence was found in the vehicle. To put it another way, it was.” He went on to ask, “You’re wondering how that remarkable hair endured a 30-mile journey during a snowstorm?

Prosecutors and law enforcement denied all accusations of planting or mishandling evidence.

Judge Beverly Cannone of Norfolk Superior Court delayed the commencement of Read’s trial from March 12 to April 16, 2024. This decision was made following the disclosure of approximately 3,000 pages of documents by federal investigators, who were examining the methods used during the O’Keefe inquiry in response to defense allegations of a cover-up.

In court on February 26th, the defense asserted that the released documents contained evidence exonerating their client. However, the prosecution disagreed, stating that the findings were generally in line with earlier testimonies. During a motions hearing on March 4, 2025, special prosecutor Hank Brennan mentioned that the federal investigation ended without any charges being brought against law enforcement.

At a hearing on March 13, 2024, the defense suggested dismissing the case by claiming that the prosecution had misled the grand jury which indicted Read. They argued that this was due to the fact that the grand jury was unaware of the personal relationships among the investigators and witnesses involved in the case.

The defense claimed in court documents that most of the individuals who appeared before the grand jury were not summoned due to their involvement in the incident involving O’Keefe. Instead, they were allegedly brought in to discuss ‘irrelevant past behavior,’ which could potentially bias the jury against Read, and was seen as a way to complicate matters, confuse issues, and unnecessarily waste time.

During the hearing, I passionately countered the defense’s tactics, likening them to a game of “three-card monte” – a distraction technique where one is asked to focus on different cards while the objective item is switched. In this case, the defense seems to be saying, ‘Look at this relationship, look at that relationship.’ They are intentionally clouding the issue by diverting your attention away from the solid evidence they don’t want you to see. Instead, they’re trying to get you to focus on who texted whom when – a sideshow to the main event.

Cannone denied the defense’s motion March 26, paving the way for the trial to begin as scheduled.

On April 29, 2024, Yannetti argued in court that O’Keefe died as a result of being brutally attacked, and his client was wrongly accused.

Yannetti stated that the address in question was home to the renowned and influential Albert family, who are law enforcement officials in Canton. Given their involvement and their close ties to the investigators handling this case, it is believed that Karen Read was falsely accused of a murder she didn’t commit.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but express my perspective on the events unfolding. Contrarily to their assertions, they portray Read as a heartbroken woman, driven perhaps by bitter emotions, after an excess of spirits, she allegedly rammed her vehicle into O’Keefe and sped away, abandoning him in his hour of need.

The case ended with a hung jury and Cannone declared a mistrial on July 1.

In July 2024, the defense requested that TopMob News review a motion to drop the murder charges against Read. They based their argument on the double jeopardy rule, stating that three jurors from the initial trial had explicitly communicated, without being asked, that they all believed she was not guilty of murder or leaving the scene following an injury or death. As such, they suggested the judge could have granted a partial verdict in this case.

Back in February 2025, I was ecstatic when the Massachusetts Supreme Court made a groundbreaking decision. They stated unequivocally that behind-the-scenes accounts of jurors’ deliberations, which contradicted their official courtroom statements, wouldn’t overturn a mistrial or serve as an acquittal. As an ardent follower of legal proceedings, this ruling has given me immense relief and confidence in the justice system, ensuring that it remains impartial and upholds the integrity of our courts.

Despite feeling deeply invaded and violated, she refused to back away now. In an interview with Vanity Fair last August, she, who chose not to testify during her trial, expressed this sentiment.

Even though the idea of being convicted is frightening,” she stated, “I’d rather serve time in prison for something I didn’t commit than admit guilt. I won’t let them claim a victory over me.

In the pandemic-stricken spring of 2020, I found myself drawn to O’Keefe following our reconnection on Facebook after sixteen years apart. However, as our relationship progressed, issues began to surface. During a New Year’s getaway to Aruba with other couples, I claimed I observed him kissing another woman, which she refuted during his trial. Additionally, I admitted to exchanging flirtatious messages with a federal agent known to O’Keefe, as a means of emotional support at the time.

However, Read mentioned that as of January 2022, he had taken on the responsibility of caring for his orphaned niece and nephew jointly. He preferred not to separate them from each other, as he served as the primary guardian for his late sister’s children, according to family accounts.

On January 29, 2022, when they visited the Alberts’ residence following an invitation for additional drinks, O’Keefe first wanted to gauge the ambiance inside before deciding whether to stay or leave, according to Read’s account to Vanity Fair. When he suddenly stopped replying to her messages, Read expressed frustration and assumed he might be engaging with an old flame residing nearby. “I didn’t believe he was physically incapacitated,” she stated. Read waited approximately 10 minutes before departing, following which she sent more texts and voicemails filled with anger.

reading further, it was unclear to Wonder if she had indeed struck O’Keefe with her vehicle. She later mentioned to VF that she would take responsibility if she had committed any wrongdoing in any manner, and promised her parents she would pay for it.

At the given point, O’Keefe’s family expressed their belief that she was responsible for his demise, as reported by the magazine.

Karen Read, unlike many people charged with murder and sued for wrongful death, has unusually amplified her fame, according to the O’Keefe family. Their ongoing civil lawsuit against Read is temporarily on hold until her criminal case is completed. This extensive media blitz aimed at influencing potential jurors intensifies the sorrow of the O’Keefe family, and it also postpones and obstructs her accountability.

During Read’s initial trial, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Proctor acknowledged on the stand that he had used disrespectful language towards Read in text messages to friends, family, and colleagues, including some that the judge made him read out loud. In response to a question about whether the owner of the house where O’Keefe was found would also receive trouble, he stated, “No. The homeowner is a Boston cop as well.

On the witness stand, Proctor admitted that his feelings had overtaken him, expressing that what he said was unbecoming of a professional and something he deeply regretted. However, he clarified that despite these inappropriate words, they did not impact the way he carried out the investigation.

The individual was dismissed from his position just under fortnight before the scheduled retrial, as stated in a state police personnel document dated March 19, 2025, which TopMob News obtained for review.

Last July, he faced a suspension, and it’s important to note that this wasn’t due to any accusations of cover-ups, collusion, or conspiracies as suggested by the defense. Instead, the suspension was a result of inappropriate language found in his personal text messages, for which he was being disciplined. The State Police Association President made this clear.

In reaction to his dismissal, Proctor’s family asserted to NBC News that the trial board’s verdict was “unprecedented and unfairly singles out one of their own, an officer with a 12-year flawless service record.” The content of Proctor’s texts showed him to be a regular person—neither corrupt nor incompetent in his role as a homicide detective, and undeniably still suitable for the position of a Massachusetts State Trooper.

As a diehard fan, I’ve been eagerly following the gripping saga unfolding in the five-part ID docuseries titled “Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read.” The final episode aired on March 17, yet poor Karen finds herself still trapped in limbo after the mistrial.

Director Terry Dunn Meurer shared with Vanity Fair that it was crucial for them to achieve a perfect balance in their work, knowing full well another trial was imminent, as they carefully assembled the final product.

Meurer stated, “This matter is highly contentious, and it’s essential we acknowledge everyone’s viewpoint. Whether you’re supporting ‘Free Karen Read’ or leaning towards the prosecution, that’s okay. However, it’s distressing to observe the harshness—the insults and the hostility, the attacks on individuals. The case has been played out on social media, and I find that unfortunate. It’s a misstep for the justice system and for Karen.

Read pushed back against any notion that she was making the most of her newfound celebrity status.

As someone standing in my shoes, facing unjust accusations, I might be expected to proclaim my innocency from every rooftop. However, unlike others who might think that anyone has fought more passionately to uncover the truth about John’s fate and spread that truth far and wide, they would be mistaken – for no one has been as determined as me in this quest. (Vanity Fair interview last summer)

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2025-06-18 22:19