Karen Read Murder Case Timeline: From Charges to Acquittal
Karen Read was acquitted of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, following a highly publicized Massachusetts trial that captivated the nation. The case began with O’Keefe’s death in January 2022 and concluded with Read’s partial acquittal in July 2024.
O’Keefe, a 16-year Boston Police veteran, was found dead outside a Canton home on January 29, 2022. Prosecutors alleged Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV after a night of drinking, then left him to die in a snowstorm. Read faced charges including second-degree murder and manslaughter.
The defense painted a different picture entirely. Read’s attorneys claimed she was framed by a conspiracy involving local police and the homeowner’s family. They argued O’Keefe died inside the house during a fight, not outside from vehicle impact.
The first trial began in April 2024 but ended in a hung jury after 26 hours of deliberation. Jurors reportedly deadlocked on the murder charge while reaching consensus on lesser charges. The case drew massive media attention and sparked protests from Read supporters who believed in her innocence.
In July 2024, Read was officially acquitted of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. The judge declared a mistrial on the manslaughter charge. Prosecutors initially planned a retrial but later dropped all remaining charges, effectively ending the case that divided Massachusetts communities for over two years.
