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Karen Read found not guilty of the murder of her police officer boyfriend Karen Read found not guilty of the murder of her police officer boyfriend
(about 2 hours later)
Karen Read, an American woman accused of killing her boyfriend in January 2022, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder.Karen Read, an American woman accused of killing her boyfriend in January 2022, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder.
The jury also found her not guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the site of the collision. But she was convicted of driving while intoxicated. The jury also found her not guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of the collision. But she was convicted of driving while intoxicated.
A July 2024 trial stemming from the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe collapsed after the jury could not reach a verdict on the charges against Ms Read.A July 2024 trial stemming from the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe collapsed after the jury could not reach a verdict on the charges against Ms Read.
She had pleaded not guilty to the charges, with her lawyers arguing that she was being framed for Mr O'Keefe's death.She had pleaded not guilty to the charges, with her lawyers arguing that she was being framed for Mr O'Keefe's death.
As the verdict was read out, a loud cheer could be heard inside the courtroom from outside the Massachusetts courthouse where a large crowd had gathered, many wearing pink to show support for Ms Read. She hugged her defence attorneys and cried after the verdict was announced. As the verdict was read out, a loud cheer could be heard from outside the Massachusetts courthouse where a large crowd had gathered, many wearing pink to show support for Ms Read. She hugged her defence attorneys and cried after the verdict.
Prosecutors and Ms Read's attorneys agreed to a one-year probation sentence for the intoxication charge, typical for a first-time offender. Outside court, Ms Read was met with loud cheers as she thanked supporters. "No one has fought harder for justice for John O'Keefe than I have," she said in a brief statement.
The crowd outside, chanted "Free Karen Read" and made "I love you" signs in American Sign Language. Some waved US flags. Supporters also sang God Bless America. Prosecutors and Ms Read's attorneys agreed to a one-year probation order for the intoxication charge. It means Ms Read will avoid jail time.
Mr O'Keefe's murder and Ms Read's trial have galvanised intense public interest spawning a hit show on Hulu and an upcoming Netflix documentary. The crowd outside, chanted "Free Karen Read" and made "I love you" signs. Some waved US flags and sang God Bless America.
No one else has been identified as possibly responsible for the death of the police officer. Ms Read's trial has generated intense public interest, spawning a TV show and upcoming Netflix documentary.
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh the page for the fullest version. Ms Read's father William thanked "all the content providers who helped spread the word".
You can receive Breaking News on a smartphone or tablet via the BBC News App. You can also follow @BBCBreaking on X to get the latest alerts. Aidan "Turtleboy" Kearny, a blogger who has publicised the case, told NBC10 local news the verdict was "a surreal emotional experience".
"To finally hear those words: 'not guilty', I have been dreaming about this... It was a happy ending."
Ms Read, 44, worked as an adjunct professor at Bentley University and an equity analyst at Fidelity Investments.
She and Mr O'Keefe were together for about two years before his 2022 death, but the latter part of the pair's relationship was troubled, prosecutors argued.
Mr O'Keefe, who died at age 46, spent 16 years with the Boston Police Department.