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Karen Read Acquitted in Second Trial!

By Los Angeles Criminal Defense Attorney on June 20, 2025

On June 18, 2025, a jury in Norfolk County delivered a landmark verdict. Karen Read was found not guilty on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene in connection with the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe.

In keeping with the integrity of the justice system, the jury determined that evidence failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Read had struck O’Keefe with her vehicle. The only conviction was for operating under the influence, resulting in a one-year probation sentence.

The Prosecution’s Case Was Full of Holes

From the outset, the prosecution asserted that Read ran O’Keefe over outside a friend’s home and fled, leaving him to die in a snowbank. According to medical reports introduced in court, O’Keefe’s cause of death included blunt head trauma and hypothermia.

But from the start of this high-profile second trial, Alan Jackson of Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP forged a different path as Karen Read’s attorney. Tackling each assertion made by the prosecution, Jackson reframed the narrative, asserting that O’Keefe was killed inside another officer’s home and his body was later moved outside to implicate Read.

Jackson pointed to serious investigative issues, like evidence allegedly collected in plastic cups and grocery bags and questionable conduct by a lead investigator who was later dismissed. Jackson also challenged the inference that the taillight fragments and DNA definitively tied Read’s vehicle to O’Keefe’s injuries.

Physical Evidence Contradicted the Prosecution’s Claims

The autopsy testimony was critical. Medical experts revealed that O’Keefe’s injuries did not align with a vehicle impact. Instead, they resembled an assault or fall, consistent with the defense’s claim. Jackson vigorously highlighted how the prosecution’s theory unraveled under the weight of forensic complexity.

Jackson’s refrain—”There was no collision“—became a central theme that drove home the notion of reasonable doubt. He argued that beneath the prosecution’s urgent narrative lay flawed evidence and several unanswered questions.

Alan Jackson’s Decisive Courtroom Strategy

During closing arguments, Jackson delivered a measured yet forceful case that captured the courtroom’s attention. He asked jurors to consider why Michael Proctor, the Massachusetts State Police lead investigator, was not called to testify, prompting them to question the transparency of the investigation.

Closing arguments are often where a case is won or lost. Jackson presented his strongest points with intentional timing in his own rebuttal. His strategic composure and commanding courtroom presence resonated deeply, bringing clarity to complex testimony and empathy to Karen Read’s position.

Karen Read’s Heroic Fight for Justice

The jury’s four-day deliberation reflected the weight of Jackson’s arguments. They found Read not guilty of the most serious charge—a decision that reflected their acceptance of her defense’s alternative account.

In the moments following the verdict, emotion flooded the courtroom. Supporters cheered, tears were shed, and Karen Read—visibly relieved—expressed her gratitude for a fair outcome. She said, “Sunlight is the best disinfectant,” affirming her belief in the truth emerging through this trial.

This case has transcended one woman’s fate. It has brought into focus questions about investigative integrity, abuse of authority, and the vital need for checks and balances, even in deeply sensitive cases involving law enforcement.

For Read—who has battled not only a murder accusation but also public conjecture and a prior mistrial—today’s verdict offers relief and a renewed chance to rebuild.

Alan Jackson’s leading role in this case reflects the firm’s broader mission to hold power to account and defend individuals with conviction and skill.

In Karen Read’s case, the truth culminated in her acquittal. But that outcome was not accidental. It resulted from meticulous preparation, fearless courtroom advocacy, and an unwavering belief in the justice system.

If you face allegations that feel overwhelming or unfair, remember: You deserve an attorney who will hold the line with knowledge, compassion, and determination.

Put One of California’s Top Criminal Defense Teams in Your Corner

When the stakes are highest, you need more than just a lawyer. You need a strategist, an advocate, and a force in the courtroom. Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP is one of California’s most respected criminal defense law firms. We’re known for our deep legal insights and the relentless pursuit of justice.

If you’re facing high-profile allegations or complex state or federal charges, call Werksman Jackson & Quinn LLP at (213) 688-0460 to learn more today.