Mistrial Declared in Karen Read Murder Trial After Jury Reaches Impasse

A high-profile murder trial involving Karen Read has ended in a mistrial following a deadlock in the jury’s decision-making process. Judge Beverly Cannone made the declaration after jurors could not reach a consensus on the fate of Read, who was accused of fatally driving into her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.

The jury, consisting of six men and six women, had been deliberating Read’s case for several days. The prosecution alleged that Read intentionally ran over O’Keefe while drunk in a snowy Canton night two years ago. On the other hand, the defense claimed that Read was framed in a cover-up orchestrated by law enforcement officials.

Despite multiple notes from the jury indicating a stark divide in opinions and perspectives on the evidence, a unanimous decision could not be reached. This led to Judge Cannone declaring a mistrial, much to the dismay of O’Keefe’s family and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, which intends to retry the case against Read.

The trial, which garnered significant media attention and social media coverage, faced challenges due to the controversial evidence and complex nature of the case. The jurors struggled to find common ground, and even a last-ditch effort by Judge Cannone to break the deadlock proved unsuccessful.

As emotions ran high in the courtroom after the mistrial declaration, Read embraced her family while O’Keefe’s mother wiped away tears. The next steps in the legal proceedings will be determined in a status hearing scheduled for July 22, overseen by Judge Cannone.

Throughout the trial, key figures such as Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who faced backlash for unprofessional behavior, and Gov. Maura Healey, who condemned the actions within law enforcement, added layers of complexity to the case. The involvement of various parties, including the defense and prosecution, further highlighted the contentious nature of the trial.

In the aftermath of the mistrial, the focus shifts to potential future proceedings and the quest for justice for John O’Keefe. The unresolved questions and divided opinions within the jury underscore the complexity and gravity of the legal battle surrounding Karen Read and the tragic events of that fateful night in Canton.