Karen Read murder trial: Verdict watch continues in case of Canton murder or conspiracy
The verdict watch continues in the murder trial of Karen Read, the Mansfield woman accused of running her boyfriend John O’Keefe down with her SUV during a Canton snowstorm and leaving him to freeze in a front yard.
Jurors have sat for a total of 30 days of trial, including Monday’s closing arguments, in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham and did not reach a verdict over the three-and-a-half hours or so they deliberated Monday. The trial is over and it is left to jurors to decide Read’s fate.
“I love my daughter. Immensely,” Read’s father William Read told the Herald in brief comments outside the courthouse Tuesday after the jury was dismissed for the day without a verdict. When another reporter asked if he was hoping for a good outcome, he said, “Better be.”
Judge Beverly Cannone instructed the jury on the charges before handing the case off to them.
As the Herald reported at the time, jurors can find Read, 44, innocent or guilty on the following charges:
Second-degree murder. Read is guilty if the jurors find that she both caused O’Keefe’s death and had intent in some way to do so. Cannone said intent could be purposeful murder, purposeful intent for grievous injury causing his death or that the defendant acted in such a way that a reasonable person would know their actions could cause death.
Manslaughter while operating under the influence. Read is guilty if jurors found that she operated a motor vehicle on a public way while under the influence of an “intoxicating liquor” with a blood alcohol content of 0.08 or higher and that her actions transcended negligence into recklessness. Recklessness would be knowing the actions could cause injury but doing them anyway, or that the actions were not accidental and resulted in death but not necessarily intended.
Then there are lesser included offenses of involuntary manslaughter and motor vehicle homicide. Both are that Read caused O’Keefe’s death, with the first being that she intended the action that caused his death and that her conduct was wanton or reckless and the second where she operated a motor vehicle drunkenly and negligently but that intent does not matter.
The final indicted charge is leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The jury can find Read guilty if they find that she operated a motor vehicle on a public way, knowingly struck O’Keefe, caused his death and then failed to stop and deal with the legal consequences, if any, or to avoid prosecution.
This is a developing story.
Brian Albert listens during closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Colin Albert listens during closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Brian Albert and Jennifer McCabe (far right) listen during closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 in Dedham, Mass. Read is accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O’Keefe, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/The Boston Herald via AP, Pool)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read smiles as supporters shout out her name as she leaves court after closing arguments. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read smiles as supporters shout out her name as she leaves court after closing arguments. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Nancy Lane/Boston Herald
Karen Read leaves court after closing arguments. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read leaves court after closing arguments. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read followers shout out their support as she leaves court after closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read followers shout out their support as she leaves court after closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Supporters and media mob Karen Read and her attorney outside her trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read followers shout out their support as she leaves court after closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
A supporter of Karen Read displays a sign reading, ‘Now get the bad guys,’ outside her trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read followers shout out their support as she leaves court after closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read followers shout out their support as she leaves court after closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – dKaren Read get a hug from a supporter uring closing arguments in her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Jennifer McCabe (black shirt)and Paul O’Keefe(R) listen during closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Colin Albert (R) and Paul O’Keefe listen during closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Defense attorneyAlan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Judge Beverly Cannone instructs the jury after closing arguments In the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Defense attorneyAlan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read reacts during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Defense attorney Alan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court Tuesday. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Defense attorneyAlan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Defense attorneyAlan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Prosecutor Adam Lally gives his closing arguments during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Karen Read listens during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Prosecutor Adam Lally gives his closing arguments during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Defense attorneyAlan Jackson gives his closing arguments in the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Prosecutor Adam Lally gives his closing arguments during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Karen Read listens to her attorney, Alan Jackson, during closing arguments during her murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Judge Beverly Cannone instructs the jury after closing arguments In the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Dedham, MA – Prosecutor Adam Lally gives his closing arguments during the Karen Read murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Nancy Lane/Boston Herald)
Supporters of Karen Read listen to proceedings from Read’s trial from a laptop computer while gathered a block away from Norfolk Superior Court Tuesday. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court with her father William Read, left, Tuesday in Dedham. The case is now being handed over to the jury. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
