Jurors in the murder trial of Karen Read are weighing three charges as they continue to determine her fate.
A look back at how we got here as the Karen Read murder case nears its final stages
Read, 44, of Mansfield, is accused of hitting her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe with her car and leaving him for dead in the snow in Canton in January 2022. The defense has argued that O’Keefe was beaten up during a fight, but his body was dumped outside in a panic, after which other officers framed Read for his killing.
The three charges against Read face calls for varying prison sentences. The jury will ultimately decide whether she is guilty or not guilty. Take a closer look at what judges are considering:
Crime 1: Murder in the Second Degree (read: she wanted to kill O’Keefe, or knew she could kill him)
Felony 2: Manslaughter While Operating a Motor Vehicle While Intoxicated (Recklessness Knowing That Such Action Could Result in Death)
Check one or both:
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manslaughter while driving a motor vehicle under the influence (same)
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manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle with a BAL of .08 or higher
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Minimum penalty of 5 years in prison, but punishable by up to 20 years in prison
Minor included 1: Involuntary manslaughter (acted recklessly and showed indifference and disregard, regardless of whether she knew it or not)
Less included 2: Manslaughter by motor vehicle while driving under the influence (Read acted negligently and knew she could endanger O’Keefe)
Select one or both:
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Motor Vehicle Homicide by OUI (No Negligence)
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And/Or: Manslaughter by motor vehicle over the legal limit of .08
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A minimum sentence of 30 days and a maximum of 2 ½ years
Crime 3: Leaving the Scene of a Fatal Accident
It is important to note that a lesser charge is a less serious crime committed during the commission of a greater crime. The lesser crime contains some of the same elements as the greater crime, and the greater crime cannot be proven unless.
The trial began on April 16 with jury selection. Opening statements were given on April 29, followed by 29 days of testimony before the jury. The closing arguments came Tuesday after the Commonwealth called 68 witnesses, while the defense called six.
When jurors returned to court Wednesday for the second day of deliberations, defense attorney Alan Jackson went back and forth with Judge Beverly Cannone over one of the three verdict slips provided to the jury. He argued that the slips should have a “not guilty” line to control for the lesser charges Read could face on the felony charge of manslaughter.
About two hours later, a change was made in the verdict.
See the amended note below:
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