Mistrial declared in Karen Read murder trial

Judge Beverly Cannone has declared a mistrial in the case of Karen Read, the Mansfield woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, 46-year-old Braintree native John O'Keefe, with her SUV outside a Canton home in January 2022.

The jury began deliberation Tuesday, June 25, after closing arguments that morning. The jury returned Friday morning telling Judge Cannone, they were "unable to reach a unanimous verdict." Cannone heard from lawyers for the prosecution and defense and then sent them back to deliberate further given the amount of evidence that they had heard.

Monday, after about two hours of deliberations, the jury sent Cannone a note stating they remained divided despite their best efforts to reach a verdict. Cannone in response gave the jurors the Tuey-Rodriguez charge, a special set of instructions often read to deadlocked juries. The instructions are derived from a pair of state Supreme Judicial Court cases.

More: Karen Read jury failed to reach verdict resulting in a mistrial. What's a mistrial?

But the jury of six men and six women returned again telling Cannone they could not reach a verdict at 2:40 p.m. Monday.

"Our perspectives on the evidence are starkly divided," the note to Cannone read. "Some members of the jury firmly believe that the evidence surpasses the burden of proof, establishing the elements of the charges beyond a reasonable doubt. Conversely, others find the evidence fails to meet this standard and does not sufficiently establish the necessary elements of the charges."

A status hearing for how the case will move forward will take place at 2 p.m. on July 22.

The Norfolk District Attorney's Office, in a statement on social media, said it planned to try the case again.

The statement reads: "First, we thank the O’Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case – to find justice for John O’Keefe."

The state police, who drew much public criticism throughout the trial, issued a statement after the mistrial was declared. After offering condolences to the family of O'Keefe, the agency said it was transferring Trooper Michael Proctor out of the detective unit of the Norfolk District Attorney's Office.

During the trial, it was learned that Proctor earlier had sent inappropriate texts regarding Read.

A statement by state police Col. John E. Mawn reads: “Upon learning today’s result, the Department took immediate action to relieve Trooper Michael Proctor of duty and formally transfer him out of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office State Police Detective’s Unit. This follows our previous decision to open an internal affairs investigation after information about serious misconduct emerged in testimony at the trial. This investigation is ongoing.

“Our focus remains on delivering the highest level of police services with professionalism and integrity.”

The case has drawn viral national attention as her defense claims it was a cover-up by law enforcement and that others involved framed Read for O'Keefe's death . Prosecutors say Read and O’Keefe had been drinking at a local bar with friends and acquaintances before they got into an argument. They say she hit him with her SUV outside the home of Brian Albert, who was hosting an after party, shortly before 12:30 a.m.

But Read's lawyers say Read dropped O'Keefe off at Albert's home where he was fatally beaten inside before his body was planted on the front lawn. They say she was then framed for his death.

'As far as I’m concerned, she’s not guilty'

The judge's ruling of a mistrial quickly reached the many people who monitored the trial from outside the courthouse.

Paul Cristoforo of Abington, an ardent supporter of Read who has routinely attended the trial, hugged fellow supporters in a rain-soaked polo shirt following the declaration.

“If the evidence was there, there would have been a conviction,” Cristoforo said, adding there was “joy and happiness” from those in the crowd as the mistrial was announced.

A swell of cheers could be heard inside the courthouse from a second floor room as people outside learned what had happened.

Cristoforo said he believed testimony by experts hired by the FBI that cast doubt on the idea that O’Keefe was struck by an SUV was, and remains, crucial.

“As far as I’m concerned, she’s not guilty,” he said, adding while he’d be “ecstatic” with a not guilty, he was “happy” nonetheless.

Cristoforo said he doesn’t think any jury can convict Read, noting the the mistrial was not declared as a result of any procedural error, but rather because jurors couldn’t agree.

He said he doubts the lead state police investigator on the case, Michael Proctor, will even be available to testify again, noting he is currently facing an internal investigation.

State police haven’t commented on the nature of the probe, but jurors at trial learned of inappropriate text messages Proctor sent regarding Read.

Those messages were unearthed during an unusual federal probe of the case that reportedly resulted in grand jury proceedings, but, as of yet, no charges.

Asked about whether the lack of charges from federal authorities concerned him, Cristoforo said he doesn’t know how federal probes work.

He said he’d like to know from the U.S. Attorney’s Office - which has said little of its probe: “What are you waiting for?”

Return for more on this developing story.

What is Karen Read charged with

Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder after O'Keefe's body was found in the driveway outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer Jan. 29, 2022.

She is also charged with manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of personal injury or death.

How long was the Karen Read trial?

Jurors heard more than 30 days of testimony. Prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses since testimony started April 29. The defense's list of witnesses was much shorter and included a plow driver who said he did not see anything on the lawn in Canton where O'Keefe's body was found.

This article originally appeared on MetroWest Daily News: Mistrial declared in Karen Read murder trial