Jurors Deliberate in Karen Read Murder Trial of Boston Officer John O’Keefe

DEDHAM, Mass. — Jurors in the murder trial of Karen Read began deliberations Friday after weeks of testimony in a case surrounding the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe. Read, 45, is accused of fatally hitting O’Keefe, 46, with her SUV and leaving him in the snow outside a house party in January 2022.

The prosecution claims Read’s actions stemmed from a toxic relationship, leading her to abandon O’Keefe after he was injured. She faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident. If convicted on the most serious charge, she could face life in prison.

During closing arguments, special prosecutor Hank Brennan described O’Keefe as a “good man” who needed help that night but did not receive it. He reiterated that Read was drunk and abandoned him after the collision. “She hit him and left him to die,” he stated.

Read’s defense team counters that O’Keefe was attacked by a dog and beaten by other officers, suggesting a conspiracy among local law enforcement to cover up the true events surrounding his death. Defense attorney Alan Jackson insisted, “There was no collision,” maintaining that the physical evidence does not support the prosecution’s case.

Evidence presented during the trial included claims from both sides. The defense insisted that O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with something other than a vehicle accident, while the prosecution argued that Read’s intoxication and driving behavior directly caused his death. Both the defense and prosecution cited the challenges of determining truth in this complex case.

As jurors returned home for the weekend, they are expected to resume deliberations on Monday, with the case potentially set for a verdict shortly thereafter.