Karen Read Verdict: Acquitted of Murder, Convicted Only on OUI
The verdict is in — and it’s shaking the nation.
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Today, June 18, 2025, the high-profile Karen Read retrial reached its conclusion in Norfolk Superior Court, and the results were dramatic. After nearly two months of testimony and four intense days of jury deliberations, Read has been found not guilty of second-degree murder, not guilty of manslaughter while under the influence, and not guilty of leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in death. The only charge that stuck? Operating under the influence — a misdemeanor for which she’ll serve one year of probation. No jail time.
This case has captivated the public since January 29, 2022, when Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead in the snow outside a Canton home during a blizzard. The prosecution claimed Karen Read, O’Keefe’s girlfriend, struck him with her Lexus SUV after an argument and left him to die. But Read has consistently maintained her innocence, insisting she dropped him off at a party and that he was attacked inside the home and his body later staged outside.
In court, the prosecution leaned heavily on data from Read’s vehicle and expert testimony, alleging that her SUV accelerated in reverse 53 feet at 24 mph — supposedly striking O’Keefe. They highlighted red plastic debris and injuries that could have come from a broken taillight. But they had no eyewitnesses, no video evidence, and a case riddled with doubt.
The defense argued the science didn’t match up. Experts testified that O’Keefe’s injuries didn’t line up with being hit by a car but resembled dog bites. A snowplow driver who passed the home multiple times swore he never saw a body. And perhaps most damning: the original lead investigator, Michael Proctor — accused of bias and misconduct — didn’t testify at all in this retrial. That silence spoke volumes.
This wasn’t Read’s first trial. Her initial 2024 proceedings ended in a hung jury. But the second trial brought even more attention and outrage, with defense attorneys alleging a law enforcement cover-up involving federal agent Brian Higgins and retired officer Brian Albert. Though the judge barred the defense from naming them in closing arguments, the shadow of their involvement loomed large over the entire case.
In the end, the jury sided with doubt. They rejected the core of the prosecution's theory. Karen Read walks free from murder charges, her only consequence a year on probation for driving under the influence.
This case isn’t just about one woman and one tragic death. It’s about trust in law enforcement, the integrity of investigations, and the power of public scrutiny. And while the courtroom battle may be over for now, the court of public opinion is still wide open.
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