Spirited reaction to Karen Read ‘not guilty’ verdict

DEDHAM, Mass. (WLNE) — After over 20 hours of deliberations, Karen Read was found not guilty of second degree murder and two other serious charges in the death of John O’Keefe.

A massive wave of supporters erupted with excitement at the news outside the courthouse Wednesday afternoon.

“I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters, who have supported me and my team, finically and more importantly emotionally,” Read said.

Among those supporters was Swansea attorney Adam Teper.

“This is personal to me,” Teper said. “As an attorney who does criminal defense work, this trial was the absolute definition of a sham.”

Read was accused of hitting O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with her car back in 2022, and leaving him to die in the snow.

Read’s defense, and her supporters, arguing the case was botched by police from the very beginning.

“You had evidence that doesn’t support what they were pushing forward,” Teper said. “You have science that doesn’t support what was pushing forward.”

A year ago, a different jury deadlocked in Read’s first trial.

Starting last week, jurors in the retrial had to weigh a multi-faceted verdict slip.

On that form were three serious charges: second degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident with death resulting.

Read was found not guilty on all three, but she was found guilty on a lesser charge of driving under the influence.

Still, the one year of probation she’ll serve pales in comparison to the possible life sentence she faced on the murder charge.

In a statement, the McCabe, Albert, and Roberts families described it as a “devastating miscarriage of justice,” saying the case was “infected by lies and conspiracy theories.”

“Today, our hearts are with John and the entire O’Keefe family. They have suffered through so much and deserved better from our justice system. While we may have more to say in the future, today we mourn with John’s family and lament the cruel reality that this prosecution was infected by lies and conspiracy theories spread by Karen Read, her defense team, and some in the media. The result is a devastating miscarriage of justice.”

However, for Read and her supporters, the verdict was a major victory.

But it begs the question: if Read isn’t responsible, who is?

Canton Select Board Chair John McCourt said in a statement that, while Wednesday’s outcome may “raise questions,” members of the community should “move forward together.”

“The Town of Canton acknowledges today’s verdict in the Commonwealth’s case against Karen Read.

The Town respects the legal process and the role of the jury in weighing the facts and rendering a verdict. We thank the members of the jury for their service and attention over the past several weeks.

This case has been the subject of intense public interest, scrutiny and speculation for three years. Our community has been deeply affected.

Today’s outcome may bring a sense of relief to some and continue to raise questions for others. We encourage members of the community to move forward together, treating one another with respect through civil, constructive dialogue.”