Only minutes after a judge declared a mistrial in the murder trial of Mansfield woman Karen Read, the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office of Michael Morrissey announced they intend to re-try the case.
Presiding Judge Beverly Cannone announced Monday afternoon that the jury had sent a second note stating that they continued to be at an impasse and that jurors were “starkly divided.”
While Read’s supporters celebrated the decision and defense attorneys Alan Jackson and David Yannetti hugged Read’s father after the hung jury, the Norfolk district attorney’s office issued a statement.
"First, we thank the O’Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case — to find justice for John O’Keefe,” spokesperson David Traub wrote. “The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.”
Norfolk County prosecutors charged Read, 44, with second-degree murder in the death of O’Keefe, who was found cold to the touch and unresponsive on Jan. 29, 2022, outside of a home in Canton.
Read pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.
Norfolk prosecutors and Read’s defense team will return to court on July 22 at 2 p.m. to decide on the next steps.
More about the case
- Waterfall Bar responds to wrongful death lawsuit filed by O’Keefe family
- Supreme Judicial Court will hear arguments in Karen Read appeal Nov. 6
- Karen Read seeks delay in civil lawsuit filed by John O’Keefe’s family
- Compensation revealed for attorney hired to lead Karen Read re-trial
- Canton Police Detective Kevin Albert disciplined for drinking on the job