Karen Read Defense Pushes for Simplified Verdict Slip Amidst Jury Deliberations in Murder Retrial
DEDHAM, Mass. – June 16, 2025 – As jurors in the high-profile murder retrial of Karen Read enter their first full day of deliberations, her defense team has filed a motion seeking to simplify the verdict slip, arguing that the current format risks confusing the jury and could prejudice their client.
Karen Read, 45, stands accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a deadly accident in connection with the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, 46. Prosecutors allege Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die in a blizzard outside a Canton house party. The defense vehemently denies a collision occurred, instead positing a police cover-up and that O’Keefe was fatally assaulted by others at the party.
The request to amend the verdict slip comes after Read’s first trial ended in a hung jury last year, with some jurors reportedly expressing confusion over the instructions and the verdict form. Defense attorney David Yannetti indicated on Friday that proposed amendments were aimed at preventing similar issues in this retrial, which began on April 22 and involved over 30 days of testimony.
Specifically, the defense’s motion on Monday morning targeted the verdict slip for Count Two (manslaughter), stating that it presents an “imbalanced” visual favoring guilty options. They argue that jurors are presented with a single “not guilty” box that applies to the entire count, whereas there are four distinct “guilty” options under that same count. This, the defense claims, could create a bias towards a guilty verdict and increase the risk of errors, thereby degrading Read’s rights.
However, Judge Beverly Cannone, who is presiding over the trial, swiftly denied the motion without a hearing, stating that “the verdict slip is consistent with Massachusetts law.” This decision means the jury will continue to deliberate using the existing verdict form.
The twelve jurors, comprised of seven women and five men, began their deliberations late Friday afternoon after lengthy closing arguments from both the prosecution and defense. They deliberated for approximately 90 minutes before being sent home for the weekend. This morning, Judge Cannone confirmed with them that they had not discussed the case or seen any media coverage over the break before sending them to resume deliberations.
The prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan, maintains that Read, intoxicated and engaged in a “toxic” relationship with O’Keefe, intentionally struck him with her vehicle and left him to perish in the snow. Brennan emphasized Read’s alleged statements at the scene, including “I hit him,” and presented data from her Lexus SUV to support the claim of a collision.
Conversely, defense attorney Alan Jackson repeatedly asserted in his closing argument that “there was no collision” between Read’s vehicle and O’Keefe. The defense has argued that O’Keefe was severely beaten and bitten by a dog before being left outside the Canton home, with law enforcement orchestrating a cover-up and planting evidence to frame Read.
The intensity of the case and the opposing narratives have captivated the public, making the jury’s decision highly anticipated. The jury is tasked with carefully weighing weeks of complex testimony, expert opinions, and conflicting evidence to determine Karen Read’s fate.
