Murder Case of Police Officer Boyfriend John O’Keefe
Karen Read, a 45-year-old financial analyst and part-time college professor from Mansfield, Massachusetts, stands accused in one of the most talked-about criminal cases in recent Massachusetts history. The case revolves around the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, and has ignited public controversy, split opinions, and raised questions about law enforcement transparency.
The Night in Question
On January 29, 2022, Officer John O’Keefe was found unresponsive outside a home on Fairview Road in Canton during a raging snowstorm. He was later pronounced dead at a local hospital. According to the autopsy, O’Keefe died from a combination of blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia.
Prosecutors allege that Read dropped O’Keefe off at a party that night and, in a drunken state, struck him with her SUV while making a U-turn—then drove away, leaving him outside in the snow. They claim she was angry after a night of drinking and acted recklessly.
Karen Read’s Defense
Karen Read has maintained her innocence from the start, and her legal team argues that she is being framed. They assert that O’Keefe was injured inside the home where the party was held—possibly during a fight—and that powerful figures, including members of local law enforcement, are covering up what really happened.
Her supporters, who call themselves “Free Karen” advocates, have held protests, raised funds for her legal defense, and pushed for accountability within the Canton Police Department and the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. They argue that crucial evidence was either mishandled or ignored—such as conflicting witness statements and inconsistencies in phone data and surveillance footage.
The Legal Saga
In June 2022, a grand jury indicted Read on charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bail.
The first trial began in April 2024 and ended in a mistrial three months later, after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict. While the details of the jury’s split remain under wraps, some reports suggest several jurors leaned toward acquitting Read of the most serious charges.
Her defense team filed motions to dismiss the case, claiming that a retrial would violate her constitutional protection against double jeopardy. However, these motions were denied by both state courts and the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court. A final appeal is pending before the U.S. Supreme Court.
Retrial and Ongoing Jury Selection
The retrial began on April 1, 2025, and is currently in its second week of jury selection. As of Monday, ten jurors have been seated, with six more needed. Defense attorneys have voiced concerns over the possibility of “stealth jurors”—people with hidden biases—being included in the jury pool.
The case has grown beyond a local tragedy into a national debate about justice, the influence of police culture, and the power dynamics at play in small-town investigations. The trial is expected to feature testimony from dozens of witnesses, expert forensic analysis, and extensive cross-examinations.
What’s at Stake
For Karen Read, the stakes couldn’t be higher. A conviction could result in life in prison. But beyond her individual fate, the case also poses questions for the broader legal system in Massachusetts: Can a fair trial be held in a case so saturated with media coverage, online speculation, and law enforcement involvement?
With opening statements expected in the coming weeks, all eyes are on the Norfolk County courthouse—waiting to see whether justice, whichever direction it may lie, will finally be served.
