After years of public scrutiny, a Hulu documentary, and allegations of a cover-up, Karen Read walks free
In a case that blurred the line between true crime and small-town power, Karen Read has been found not guilty of all major charges in connection with the 2022 death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe—her boyfriend at the time of his death.
The verdict, delivered on Tuesday after days of jury deliberations, ends one of the most dramatic murder trials in recent Massachusetts history. Read had faced charges including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. Prosecutors argued she struck O’Keefe with her SUV during a night of drinking and left him to die in the snow outside a fellow officer’s home in Canton, Massachusetts.
But the defense told a different story—one that has since become the subject of national debate, protests, and even a Hulu documentary. They claimed Read was being framed to protect others who were inside the home that night and that O’Keefe may have been attacked after he entered the house, not outside it. They pointed to alleged gaps in the investigation, destroyed phone records, and relationships between law enforcement figures that raised red flags.
A Story That Exploded Online—and On Streaming
The case gained even more attention following the release of Hulu’s documentary “The Killing of John O’Keefe”, which raised doubts about the official version of events and fueled public suspicion about a potential cover-up. The series spotlighted not just the evidence, but the social and political dynamics of Canton—a town where many key figures involved had ties to law enforcement or the legal system.
The documentary spurred national interest and galvanized an online movement of supporters who began showing up outside the courthouse with signs reading “#FreeKarenRead.”
Her Boyfriend, the Victim
At the heart of the case was Karen Read and her relationship with John O’Keefe, a respected Boston police officer. The couple had been dating, and friends testified their relationship had its ups and downs. On the night in question, the two had been drinking before attending a house party at the home of another officer. Prosecutors claimed Read dropped O’Keefe off and, in a fit of rage, reversed into him with her SUV. But forensic evidence—like the direction of injuries and lack of blood—left room for doubt.
A Trial of Questions, Not Certainty
In court, the jury was presented with two competing narratives: one of a woman scorned and reckless, and another of a flawed investigation protecting its own. Read’s defense leaned heavily on inconsistencies in witness testimonies and evidence handling. Prosecutors, meanwhile, highlighted what they saw as damaging text messages and behavior from Read that pointed to guilt.
This wasn’t the first trial attempt—earlier proceedings ended in mistrial due to procedural issues and challenges in jury selection. By the time the final trial began, public interest had only intensified.
A Community Divided
The case did more than pit defense against prosecution. It divided Canton, with some residents attending every court date in support of Read, while others aligned with law enforcement. Online communities became battlegrounds for debate, and the courtroom became a microcosm of a much larger national conversation about institutional trust and accountability.
What Comes Next
Although Karen Read has been acquitted, the questions surrounding John O’Keefe’s death remain far from settled. His family has not publicly responded to the verdict yet, and there’s no word on whether further investigations will continue.
Read herself did not speak to media following the verdict, but her attorneys declared justice had finally been served. “This was a frame job from day one,” her lead attorney said outside the courthouse. “The jury saw through the lies.”
