A fourth juror in the Karen Read trial has come forward to report that the jury found her “not guilty” of second-degree murder and leaving a scene of personal injury and death, attorneys wrote in court documents.
Read’s attorneys are asking the judge to dismiss the two counts when the case goes to trial again.
Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass.
Steven Senne/AP
“There was no manifest necessity for a mistrial as to those counts, and therefore the Double Jeopardy protections of the federal and state Constitutions require that those counts not be retried,” Read’s defense attorney Alan Jackson wrote in court documents.
Judge Beverly Cannone declared the mistrial on July 1 after the jury informed her that they were deadlocked. Read’s attorneys have since filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Officer suspended
Damning testimony during Read’s trial led to the suspension of Massachusetts State Police Officer Michael Proctor. Trial testimony revealed Proctor was communicating with Canton Police Officer Kevin Albert during the investigation ahead of Read’s murder trial.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor takes the stand during Karen Read’s murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, June 10, 2024, in Dedham, Mass.
Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Albert is the brother of Brian Albert, who hosted the party at the house where John O’Keefe’s body was found outside. The Canton Police Department had recused itself from the investigation due to the Albert brothers’ connection to the case.
This undated photo released by the Boston Police Department shows officer John O’Keefe.
Boston Police Department via AP, File
Kevin Albert was also placed on paid administrative leave, according to WCVB. The Canton Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Canton Police Officer Kevin Albert is seen in this 2013 photo posted to the Canton Police Facebook account.
Canton Police/Facebook
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 22.
In a surprising turn of events, Karen Read has been found not guilty on two counts by the 4th Juror in her trial. The news came as a shock to many who have been following the case closely, as Read had been facing serious charges that could have resulted in a lengthy prison sentence.
The charges against Read stemmed from an incident that occurred last year, in which she was accused of embezzling funds from her employer. The prosecution had presented a strong case against Read, with evidence that seemed to point to her guilt. However, the 4th Juror ultimately found that there was not enough evidence to convict her beyond a reasonable doubt.
This decision has sparked debate among legal experts and the public alike. Some believe that the 4th Juror made the right call in acquitting Read, citing the lack of concrete evidence against her. Others, however, feel that justice has not been served and that Read should have been found guilty based on the evidence presented.
Regardless of one’s opinion on the verdict, it is clear that this case has raised important questions about the criminal justice system and the burden of proof required to convict someone of a crime. It serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties that can arise in legal proceedings, and the importance of ensuring that justice is served fairly and impartially.
As for Karen Read, she can now breathe a sigh of relief knowing that she has been cleared of these charges. However, the impact of this trial on her reputation and future prospects remains to be seen. Only time will tell how this verdict will shape her life moving forward.
