Karen Read retrial: Here’s all you need to know about Boston cop’s murder case as jury selection begins this week

The retrial of Karen Read, accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe will begin this week. After a mistrial in 2024, the case attracted national attention. The jury selection is expected to take weeks due to the high-profile nature of the trial.

What happened in the original case?

In January 2022, Karen Read, aged 45, allegedly backed her Lexus SUV into O’Keefe after dropping him off at the home of fellow officer Brian Albert. The next morning, his body was discovered outside Albert’s home in Canton, Massachusetts. The autopsy determined that his death was caused by hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

As per news reports, Read was arrested and charged with second-degree murder, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a deadly crash. However, Read has pleaded not-guilty. The prosecution, however, argued that she intentionally ran over O’Keefe in a fit of anger after a night of drinking and their rocky relationship.


A news report stated that evidence, which included car data and broken taillight, showed that Read was involved in the homicide. However, her defence argued that her deceased boyfriend was attacked inside Albert’s home, possibly by a dog, and that he was placed outside to make it look like a hit-and-run.

Also Read : Over 50% Ukrainians think Donald Trump's efforts may lead to unjust peace: Survey

The mistrial and the road to retrial

According to the reports, the first trial which ended in July 2024 was considered to be a mistrial since the jury could not reach a unanimous decision. The deliberations of the jury, as per the reports, lasted nearly a week. The jury indicated they agreed on two charges—second-degree murder and fleeing the scene—but did not agree with the manslaughter charges. Thus, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s office is moving forward with a retrial.

Reportedly, jury selection will likely be lengthy due to public interest in the case. Nearly 150 potential jurors will be vetted before the retrial.

The new trial: What’s different?

According to the report, the defence team led by David Yannetti will likely argue that Karen was framed and that the law enforcement did not investigate the case properly. The defence’s focus will significantly be on involvement of others and they are likely to push a ‘third-party culprit’ strategy.

The report stated that Karen’s defence team has requested two men from the first trial—Brian Albert and Brian Higgins—be considered as possible suspects. Meanwhile, the prosecution will be introducing new evidence, including phone records, which linked Read and local blogger Aidan Kearney. Kearney allegedly helped Read intimidate witnesses.

Key developments and witnesses

The new trial will also involve testimonies from as many as 150 witnesses, including Read's family members, the media reports stated. Reportedly, the prosecution has included Read's father and brother on their list of potential witnesses. The case investigation has also involved the removal of a major investigator, Trooper Michael Proctor for making inappropriate remarks about Read.

Also Read : Premier League 2025 Arsenal vs Fulham: Scores, predictions, standings, live streaming and more details

FAQs

Why was a mistrial declared in Karen Read's first trial?
The jury was unable to agree on a verdict after almost a week of deliberation, resulting in the mistrial being declared.

What is a retrial defence strategy?
The defence will claim that Karen Read was framed, with evidence suggesting a possible third-party involvement. They want to draw attention to potential witnesses and evidence not yet considered.