Karen Read murder trial now in the hands of the jury following closing arguments
DEDHAM, Mass. (WJAR) — The fate of Karen Read was handed Tuesday to jurors who must decide whether the Massachusetts woman ended a rocky romance by angrily hitting her boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him mortally injured in the snow, or is a victim of police corruption, framed to cover up a fight at the home of a fellow Boston officer.
The first day of deliberations lasted for about 3 hours.
The courthouse sidewalk in Dedham was surrounded by Read's supporters, who were wearing pink after closing arguments were delivered by Read's attorney.
Nobody could put more time into what we present in court," Read said outside court.Read, of Mansfield, is facing a charge of second-degree murder, along with other charges, including manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol.
The prosecution claims Read hit and killed her boyfriend John O'Keefe during a 2022 snowstorm and cracking her tail light in the process.
"The defendant drove her vehicle in reverse at 24.2 miles per hour for 62-and-a-half-feet and struck Mr. O'Keefe," Adam Lally, the assistant district attorney said.He focused on what Read allegedly said the morning O'Keefe's body was found outside a Canton home.
"'I hit him, I hit him,' those are the words of the defendant, four times. You heard testimony four different witnesses who overheard and observed those statements from the defendant," Lally said.Read's defense claimed she was framed in a police cover up. The defense said O'Keefe was beaten in the basement during an after party and then attacked by a dog.
"Look the other way, four words that sum up the commonwealth’s entire case. Four words that sum up the hopes of those who have tried to deceive you. Conflicts of interest, doesn't matter, just looks the other way. Magic hairs, magic glass, look the other way, late night calls and google searches, falsified affidavits, inverted videos, butt dials galore," Defense Attorney Alan Jackson said.It's unclear when the jury might reach a verdict. It could take just a few days or weeks.
The manslaughter charge carries a penalty of five to 20 years in prison, and the other charge has a maximum penalty of 10 years.
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EDITOR'S NOTE: The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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