Posted at 9:18 PM, June 28, 2024
DEDHAM, Mass. (Court TV) — The jury in a high-profile trial is deliberating the fate of a Massachusetts woman accused of killing her police officer boyfriend.
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(L) Karen Read appears in court Jan. 5, 2024. (Court TV), (R) Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe (Boston Police Department)
Karen Read is charged in the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found dead in the snow outside the home of a fellow officer in Jan. 2022. Prosecutors accuse Read of hitting O’Keefe with her car while dropping him off at a party at the residence and leaving him to die. Her attorneys allege a sloppy investigation and a cover-up.
RELATED | Karen Read murder case: A timeline of events
Read is charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing injury or death. She is facing life in prison if convicted at trial.
RELATED | Key players in the Karen Read murder case
Read’s case has captured attention across the globe with allegations of a police cover-up orchestrated by parties with “significant relationships,” alleged “romantic entanglements” involving Read and O’Keefe, and even a blogger vocal in their defense for Read facing charges. Protesters have also taken center stage in their fight against a “buffer zone,” accusing the prosecution of going on an “unchecked bender.”
DAILY TRIAL UPDATES
DAY 34 – 6/28/24
- The jury sent a note saying that they were unable to come to a verdict, but Judge Cannone told them to return to deliberations and try again.
- WATCH: Judge Asks Karen Read Jury to Continue Deliberations After Note
- WATCH: Killer or Cover-Up Murder Trial: Day 34 Recap
DAY 33 – 6/27/24
- The third day of jury deliberations ends without a verdict.
- There were no questions from the jury on Thursday.
- The jury has deliberated close to 15 hours.
- WATCH: Karen Read Jury Excused For The Day, Deliberations Continue Tomorrow
- WATCH: Killer Or Cover-Up Murder Trial: Day 33 Recap
DAY 32 – 6/26/24
- No verdict in the case against Karen Read on Wednesday.
- Testy exchange between Judge Cannone and Karen Read when she catches Read smirking at her. “Excuse me. Is this funny, Ms. Read?” Judge Cannone asked.
- Judge Cannone reprimanded Read following her attorney, Alan Jackson, contesting the verdict slip that the jury must fill out, arguing that the wording would unfairly steer jurors toward a guilty verdict on the charge of Manslaughter While Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence.
- A special instruction was given to the jury to clarify how to decide their verdict on Count 2 of the indictment – Manslaughter While Operating a Vehicle Under the Influence.