For a second time, Jury in Karen Read murder trial unable to reach a verdict

DEDHAM, MA – For the second time since deliberations began last week, jurors in the Karen Read murder trial have been unable to reach a verdict.

The foreman for the jury sent a note to Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone early Monday morning after being in deliberations for a little more than two hours this morning, indicating that they are struggling to determine if Read killed her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe in January of 2022. Cannone read the note out loud in the courtroom in front of both the prosecution, defense teams as well as the families of both Read and O’Keefe.

“Despite our commitment to the duty entrusted to us, we find ourselves deeply divided by fundamental differences in our opinions and state of mind. The divergence in our views are not rooted in a lack of understanding or effort, but deeply held convictions that each of us carry ultimately leading to a point where consensus is unattainable. We recognize the weight of this admission, and the implication it holds.”

As a result, Cannone read to the jurors what is known as the Tuey-Rodriguez process, a set of instructions meant to urge jurors into one last attempt at reaching a verdict.

Jurors could find Read guilty on any of the three charges, which include second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene having caused personal injury and death.

Last week, the jury sent a similar note to Cannone, stating they were unable to reach a verdict. After listening to both Attorney Lally on behalf of the Commonwealth as well as Attorney David Yannetti for the defense, Cannone made the final decision to send the jury back to work on the case some more. Juror were unable to come to a decision and were sent home for the weekend.

The final decision to either continue working towards a verdict or to deem a hung jury rests exclusively on Cannone.

This is a developing story.