A judge has declared a mistrial in the murder trial of a Massachusetts woman accused of drunkenly driving into her police officer boyfriend and leaving him to die. The accused, Karen Read, faced charges of second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. The case featured accusations of a vast police cover-up and investigative misconduct.
After a deadlocked jury twice indicated they could not reach a verdict, the judge overseeing the trial directed jurors to continue deliberations. The jury of six men and six women had been considering a verdict since last Tuesday, weighing evidence in a case involving accusations of a police cover-up and improper conduct from a lead investigator.
The body of the victim, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, was found bruised and battered outside a fellow officer's home. Prosecutors alleged that Read drunkenly backed into O’Keefe, leaving him to die in the cold. In contrast, Read's defense accused off-duty police of fatally beating O’Keefe and framing Read through fabricated evidence.
The prosecution's case faced challenges, including a lead investigator admitting to sending sexist and offensive texts about Read. The judge issued a 'dynamite charge' to the jury, instructing them to reconsider their positions and respect each other's opinions.
Following the mistrial, the Commonwealth intends to retry the case with a new jury. The case has garnered widespread interest, with accusations of witness tampering, a federal probe, and groups of supporters advocating for Read's release.
The defense team expressed confidence in the prospect of a hung jury, indicating potential weaknesses in the prosecution's case. The prosecution may consider a different approach in a retrial, possibly bringing lesser charges or presenting new evidence.
The trial's conclusion marks the end of a high-profile case that has raised questions about police conduct, investigative practices, and the pursuit of justice in the legal system.
