Who Is Karen Read? Learn About Her & John O’Keefe Trial

Karen Read’s case has dominated headlines in recent years. The Massachusetts resident returned to court in April 2025 after her initial 2024 trial ended in a hung jury. She stood accused of causing the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, by striking him with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm.

With closing arguments now complete in the 2025 retrial—and the jury’s verdict reached—here’s everything you need to know about the case, courtroom updates, and what comes next. Find the full breakdown below.

Who Is Karen Read?

Read is a 44-year-old Mansfield, Massachusetts, native who worked as a financial analyst. She dated O’Keefe before he died in January 2022.

Why Is Karen Read on Trial?

Read is on trial because she was accused of killing her boyfriend, O’Keefe, in January 2022 with her SUV after a night out drinking alcohol. She pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.

The prosecution in the case has argued that Read hit O’Keefe with her vehicle while allegedly intoxicated. Read’s defense attorneys have claimed that she did not kill O’Keefe, but instead, he was killed during a fight inside a police officer’s home, and then his body was brought outside.

Furthermore, Read has claimed that she is a victim of a coverup involving members of law enforcement.

Read was on trial from April 2024 to July 2024 before it ended in a mistrial. The jury was not able to reach a unanimous verdict, and she was rescheduled to a new trial, which commenced one year later in April 2025.

Who Is John O’Keefe?

O’Keefe was a Boston police officer who was in a relationship with Read. He was found deceased in January 2022 in the snow outside the home of now-retired police officer Brian Albert.

Is Karen Read Going to Prison?

No,  Read is not going to prison. On June 18, 2025, she was found not guilty of all major charges, including second-degree murder, motor vehicle homicide, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident in connection with the 2022 death of O’Keefe. However, she was found guilty of operating under the influence (OUI) and was sentenced to one year of probation.

How to Watch the Karen Read Trial Live

While the trial has concluded, full trial coverage, key moments, and verdict analysis are still available to watch. Major outlets such as CBS Boston, NBC Boston, and ABC News Live offer archived footage and post-verdict analysis. Clips and summaries can also be found on YouTube and news platforms covering high-profile legal cases.