Karen Read Case Moves to Mistrial Consideration After Jury Deadlock in High-Profile Massachusetts Murder Trial
DEDHAM, Massachusetts – A mistrial was declared today in the murder trial of Karen Read, 44, after a deadlocked jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict following five days of deliberations, marking a significant development in a case that has drawn national attention. The proceedings, which began on April 16, 2024, in Norfolk County Superior Court, centered on the accusation that Read, a former financial analyst from Mansfield, Massachusetts, intentionally struck her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV outside a home in Canton on January 29, 2022, before fleeing the scene. The jury informed Judge Beverly Cannone that they were hopelessly deadlocked after deliberating for approximately 26 hours over multiple days, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial at 3:15 p.m. ET. The defense argued that O'Keefe died after a physical altercation inside the home, with an alternative suspect identified, while the prosecution presented evidence of erratic driving and a broken taillight. No date has been set for a retrial, with legal analysts predicting potential plea discussions as both sides regroup. Read remains free on bail, as court officials prepare to schedule further proceedings to determine the next steps in this contentious case.