DEDHAM — Karen Read’s supporters have stood outside Norfolk Superior Court throughout the trial, and many more gathered during deliberations this week.
On Thursday, the signs, the pink and the lawn chairs were still there, but the mood among her supporters was mellower. The jury has been deliberating since Tuesday afternoon. Many thought that a verdict would be on the books by now.
“Trying to stay hopeful”
“Anxious,” said Kevin Colby, a Read supporter. “We want to see a ruling and, like most of us, are surprised why it’s taking so long.”
Read is charged with second-degree murder in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. Her defense attorneys say Read is the victim of a extensive cover-up.
Steven Senne / AP
“I’m trying to stay hopeful, but I’m also getting a little nervous because for me it’s a done deal in terms of the decision that has to be made. I’m confused about where the jury stands and what they are still deliberating about ,” said Read supporter Emma Lowry.
But experts remind people that this is a complicated casewith the prosecution and defense presenting two very different versions of how O’Keefe died in January 2022.
“You get a little nervous at that point, you feel like something’s going on and I’m not sure what it is, but I’m just staying positive and hopeful that it’s going to work out the way we want it to come out,” said supporter Mary Jean Beaumont.
Read greet supporters
Meanwhile, Read took a moment to greet the supporters who still stood by her. From New York to Rhode Island and everywhere in between, about 150 of them camped out Thursday. Many said they’ll keep coming back until the verdict comes.
Karen Reads
“It is clear that they are taking their time to go through all kinds of things, but we have confidence in this,” said supporter Kristin Economou.
The jury deliberated for approximately 14.5 hours. They will appear in court again on Friday at 9 a.m
