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Karen Read found not guilty of murdering police officer boyfriend | |
(32 minutes later) | |
Karen Read, a US woman charged with running over her police officer boyfriend and leaving him for dead in a snowbank, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder in a case that gripped true-crime fans nationwide. | |
The jury also found her not guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of the collision in January 2022. But she was convicted of operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (OUI). | |
Her July 2024 trial stemming from the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe collapsed after the jury was unable to reach a verdict. | |
She again pleaded not guilty in the retrial, with her lawyers arguing she was being framed for Mr O'Keefe's death. | |
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. | |
Outside court, Ms Read was greeted by 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. | |
Prosecutors and Ms Read's attorneys agreed to a one-year probation order for the intoxication charge. It means Ms Read will avoid prison time. | |
The crowd outside chanted "Free Karen Read" and made "I love you" signs. Some waved US flags and sang God Bless America. | |
Ms Read's trial has generated intense public interest, spawning a TV show and upcoming Netflix documentary. | Ms Read's trial has generated intense public interest, spawning a TV show and upcoming Netflix documentary. |
Her father William thanked "all the content providers who helped spread the word". | |
Aidan "Turtleboy" Kearny, a blogger who has publicised the case, told NBC10 local news that 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." | "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. | 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. | 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. | Mr O'Keefe, who died at age 46, spent 16 years with the Boston Police Department. |