A Massachusetts judge has ruled that Karen Read can be re-tried for murder and leaving the scene where her Boston police officer boyfriend died. The defense argued that trying her again on these counts would be unconstitutional double jeopardy.
Karen Read looks toward the jurors, as they are greeted by Judge Beverly J. Cannone during her trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. for murder and leaving the crime scene in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, dismissing arguments that jurors told lawyers after the mistrial that they had unanimously agreed she wasn’t guilty on the two charges.
Prosecutors said Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, and O’Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police, had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow Boston officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away. An autopsy found O’Keefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.
After the mistrial, Read's lawyers presented evidence that four jurors had said they were actually deadlocked only on a third count of manslaughter, and that inside the jury room, they hadthat Read was innocent of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a deadly accident. One juror told them that “no one thought she hit him on purpose or even thought she hit him on purpose,” her lawyers argued.
But the judge said the jurors didn't tell the court during their deliberations that they had reached a verdict on any of the counts. “Where there was no verdict announced in open court here, retrial of the defendant does not violate the principle of double jeopardy," Cannone said in her ruling.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialA judge has declined to dismiss two charges, including murder, in the case of Karen Read, who is blamed in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Read more »
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialMassachusetts prosecutors say they plan to retry Karen Read on charges she murdered her boyfriend, police officer John O'Keefe, after a judge declared a mistrial. Read's attorneys maintain she was framed.
Read more »
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialA judge has declined to dismiss two charges, including murder, in the case of Karen Read, who is blamed in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Read more »
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialA Massachusetts judge has ruled that Karen Read can be re-tried for murder and leaving the crime scene in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Read more »
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialA judge has declined to dismiss two charges, including murder, in the case of Karen Read, who is blamed in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Read more »
Judge declines to dismiss murder case against Karen Read after July mistrialA Massachusetts judge has ruled that Karen Read can be re-tried for murder and leaving the crime scene in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend.
Read more »