Karen Read was acquitted in her second trial (retrial) on June 18, 2025, of the most serious charges: second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.

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She was found guilty only of operating a vehicle under the influence (OUI/DUI), receiving a sentence of one year of probation.

Her first trial in 2024 ended in a mistrial due to a hung jury, leading to the retrial that began in April 2025.

The case stemmed from the January 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who was found dead in the snow outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, after a night of drinking. Prosecutors alleged Read struck him with her SUV and left him to die; the defense argued she was framed in a cover-up involving law enforcement connections.

The focus has shifted to civil lawsuits:

• Wrongful death lawsuit filed by O’Keefe’s family against Read (and others, including the bars they visited that night). A hearing scheduled for early January 2026 was postponed at the last minute after lawyers reported progress on discovery disputes. It’s now set for February 3, 2026, at 3 p.m. Motions involve compelling documents from parties like the Norfolk DA’s office, former Trooper Michael Proctor (fired and suspended), and others.
• Read has filed her own lawsuits (e.g., against witnesses like the McCabes, Alberts, and others), some of which have moved to federal court.
• Read’s 2021 Lexus SUV (central to the case) is scheduled for auction later in January 2026.
• A Lifetime movie titled “Accused: The Karen Read Story” premiered on January 10, 2026, dramatizing the events.
• Read has publicly endorsed a challenger in the Norfolk DA race and remains active in related discussions.

No active criminal proceedings or retrial are ongoing—the acquittal on the major charges stands. The civil cases could still reveal more details through discovery and potential trials. The story continues to generate media coverage, documentaries, and public debate.