Open in App
  • Local
  • U.S.
  • Election
  • Politics
  • Crime
  • Sports
  • Lifestyle
  • Education
  • Real Estate
  • Newsletter
  • Axios Boston

    Karen Read's double jeopardy claims

    By Mike Deehan,

    6 days ago

    Karen Read's lawyers say a fourth juror from last month's blockbuster trial claims the jury found Read not guilty of the most serious charges she faces.


    Why it matters: The growing tally adds to mounting claims that Read could be protected from a retrial on those charges because of double jeopardy.

    Catch up quick : At her trial, Read faced charges of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident after allegedly hitting her police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, with her car in January 2022.

    • The June trial ended in a mistrial after the jury deadlocked.

    The latest: Read's attorneys claim four separate jurors have contacted them, alleging the panel unanimously voted "not guilty" on the charges of murder and leaving the scene.

    • The fourth juror's account aligns with previous reports about what went on in the jury room behind closed doors, potentially jeopardizing the prosecution's ability to retry Read.
    • According to an affidavit filed by Read's team Wednesday, all four jurors indicated the entire jury was only considering guilt on another charge: manslaughter while driving under the influence.
    • Their inability to decide that count alone led to the mistrial, per the affidavit.

    What's next: Judge Beverly Cannone will weigh Read's request to dismiss the more serious charges July 22.

    • If any of the charges stick, the judge could set a date for a new trial.
    • Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey has said he will pursue all the charges and retry Read.

    Meanwhile, a Canton police officer connected to the Read case has been suspended because of his involvement with Michael Proctor, the State Police detective who investigated Read.

    • Detective Kevin Albert, whose brother owned the home where O'Keefe's body was found outside, testified at trial that he got drunk with Proctor while investigating a cold case in 2022.
    • Defense lawyers claimed that showed an inappropriate connection between the lead investigator and the family that owned the crime scene.
    • Read's team claims O'Keefe was killed at the Canton home of Brian Albert during a party.
    Expand All
    Comments / 0
    Add a Comment
    YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
    Most Popular newsMost Popular

    Comments / 0