Karen Read trial: Jury asks judge questions about charges and evidence in murder of Boston police officer boyfriend John O'Keefe
Share this @internewscast.com

BOSTON — A jury asked questions Tuesday as they continue to deliberate in the Karen Read retrial.

Read, 45, is accused of striking John O’Keefe with her car outside a suburban Boston house party and leaving him to die in the snow in January 2022.

According to Read’s attorneys, they allege that O’Keefe, aged 46, was not only brutally attacked and mauled by a dog but subsequently abandoned outside a Canton residence. They claim this was part of a conspiracy by the police, who are accused of fabricating evidence against Read.

Jury deliberations commenced late last week, over a month after the trial initially began. This marked the second complete day of discussions, starting on Tuesday morning and concluding without a decision. Additional deliberations are slated for Wednesday.

The jury signaled their confusion about jury instructions, leaving many searching for clues in the questions they’re asking.

“We received an inquiry from the jurors: ‘If we find not guilty on two charges but cannot come to a consensus on one charge, does that mean a hung jury on all three charges or just on one?'” Judge Canone conveyed to the courtroom.

Read is facing three charges: 2nd degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol, and leaving the scene of an accident causing death.

RELATED: Things to know about the retrial of Karen Read in the killing of her police officer boyfriend

“We don’t answer theoretical questions. I tell the jurors not to be concerned with the consequences of their verdict and that’s exactly what they’re doing here,” the judge said, trying to answer the jurors’ question.

The case against Read has gripped the nation and divided the Boston area, and launching a legion of supporters.

Hundreds of supporters dressed in pink outside the courtroom.

Earlier, the jury asked about the charge of operating under the influence and whether the video clips of Read’s television interviews — including with ABC’s 20/20 — can be used as evidence.

Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University who is not involved in the case, said it’s “quite possible it is heading for a compromise or mercy verdict, a split verdict,” in light of the questions.

“My take is that the jury might be homing in the OUI charge, suggesting they might have doubts about whether she struck him at all,” Medwed said.

The defense has said several jurors from the first trial came forward and said the jury was set to acquit Read on two charges but deadlocked on a third, leading to the mistrial.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Copyright © 2025 ABC News Internet Ventures.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
House Democrats rally at Capitol in last-ditch effort to alter spending bill

House Democrats Gather at Capitol in Final Push to Revise Spending Bill

On Monday evening, House Democrats gathered for a crucial strategy session in…
Vance, Johnson Hold Presser, Rip and Expose Democrats for Government Shutdown Gambit

Vance and Johnson Criticize and Unveil Democrats’ Strategy in Response to Government Shutdown

On Monday, Republicans and Democrats convened in a last attempt to prevent…
North Carolina restaurant ambush ‘highly premeditated,’ suspect tied to anti-LGBTQ conspiracies: docs

Documents reveal that an ambush at a North Carolina restaurant was thoroughly planned, with the suspect linked to anti-LGBTQ conspiracy theories.

A weekend shooting that left three people dead and five others injured…
Alabama man charged in hit-and-run in Tuscaloosa

Alabama Resident Faces Charges in Tuscaloosa Hit-and-Run Incident

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (WIAT) — An Alabama man was arrested following a hit-and-run…
Congress faces funding impasse as government shutdown looms

Congress Struggles to Approve Funding, Risking Government Shutdown

Democratic and Republican congressional leaders left a White House meeting with President…
ICE in Chicago protest: Neurodivergent man among 4 charged after clash at Broadview ICE facility, supporters say

Chicago ICE Protest: Supporters Report Neurodivergent Man and 3 Others Charged Following Broadview Facility Incident

CHICAGO (WLS) — Four individuals appeared in court on Monday following a…
Victim identified in deadly Dallas ICE facility attack

Identity of Victim Revealed in Fatal Incident at Dallas ICE Facility

Authorities in Dallas have identified one of the victims who died when…
Tropical Storm Imelda, Huricane Humberto deliver double threat, brining dangerous surf and flooding for US

Tropical Storm Imelda and Hurricane Humberto Pose Twin Threats with Dangerous Surf and Flooding in the US

Tropical Storm Imelda is predicted to gain strength and develop into a…
Hegseth Orders 200 National Guard Troops to Portland—State Dems Immediately Flip Out, Take Action

Hegseth Deploys 200 National Guard Troops to Portland—State Democrats React Swiftly

On Saturday, President Donald Trump authorized military intervention to address ongoing issues…
Drug task force seizes record-breaking 1 million pounds of cocaine, denying cartels and narco-terrorists $11B

Drug task force confiscates record 1 million pounds of cocaine, cutting off cartels and narco-terrorists from $11 billion

A Coast Guard crew member assigned to Coast Guard Cutter Diligence (WMEC…
Snoop Dogg returning to NBC's Olympics coverage for 2026

Snoop Dogg Set to Rejoin NBC’s Olympics Coverage for 2026

Snoop won two Sports Emmys as part of NBCUniversal’s Paris Olympics coverage…
Home bakers donate fresh bread to food banks thanks to this Seattle nonprofit

Seattle Nonprofit Helps Home Bakers Deliver Fresh Bread to Food Banks

On a recent Saturday near Seattle, Cheryl Ewaldsen pulled three golden loaves…