Karen Read was cleared of murder and manslaughter charges Wednesday, as a huge crowd of her supporters roared with applause outside of the courthouse in Dedham, Massachusetts. The jury found her guilty only of operating under the influence of alcohol (OUI).
Judge Beverly Cannone then sentenced Read to one year of probation after the verdict was announced.
Read’s supporters were so loud outside it was difficult for some inside the courtroom to hear what was being said when the long-awaited verdict was read. There were more than 1,000 people outside as confetti flew around the steps of the courthouse.
Read was charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of bodily injury and death in the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in January 2022. She pleaded not guilty to all of the charges.
There has been no statement yet from the prosecution or O’Keefe’s family on the verdict. WBZ-TV’s Kristina Rex, who was in the courtroom, said that as the verdict was read, the family appeared “devastated.”
A longtime friend of John O’Keefe said the celebration outside the courthouse was “disgusting.”
According to a filing released Wednesday afternoon, the list of juror names has been impounded, meaning it is not being made public.
Karen Read’s reaction to verdict
Read spoke briefly to the crowd celebrating outside the courthouse.
“I just want to say two things. Number one is I could not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially, and more importantly emotionally for almost four years,” Read said near the courthouse steps.
“The second thing I want to say is no one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have, than I have and my team. Thank you.”
Josh Reynolds / AP
The jury began deliberating late Friday afternoon and discussed the case for about 90 minutes before returning for more deliberations Monday. The panel of seven women and five men had the case for about 20 hours total.
Karen Read jury verdict confusion
Reaching a verdict did not go smoothly….
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