The 45-year-old former financial analyst and adjunct professor faces serious allegations in the death of John O'Keefe, her boyfriend and Boston police officer. Read has pleaded not guilty to three charges:

• Second-degree murder

• Vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated

• Leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death12

Prosecutors allege that on January 29, 2022, Read struck O'Keefe with her vehicle while under the influence and abandoned him in freezing conditions outside another Boston police officer's residence in Canton1. If convicted of second-degree murder, Read could face a potential life sentence3.

Karen Read's defense team has put forth a controversial theory, alleging that she is the victim of a significant cover-up orchestrated by law enforcement. They claim that off-duty officers present at the Canton residence were responsible for O'Keefe's death, suggesting he was assaulted inside the home and attacked by a German shepherd named Chloe before being left in the snow1. The defense argues that police conspired to fabricate evidence and commit perjury to protect their own1.

This cover-up allegation has been a central point of contention in the case, with Read's attorney Alan Jackson stating during the first trial, "Ladies and gentlemen, a cover-up occurred in this case, plain and simple"1. The defense's strategy has garnered significant public attention, with supporters of Read rallying outside the courthouse wearing pink and holding signs proclaiming "Free Karen Read"12. This narrative has contributed to the deep division within the community and has made the process of selecting an impartial jury for the retrial particularly challenging34.

The first trial of Karen Read, which lasted more than two months including deliberations, ended in a mistrial on July 1, 2024, after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict12. Despite the inconclusive outcome, Read's attorneys claim that at least four jurors from the first trial confirmed she was found not guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of personal injury and death1. However, Judge Beverly Cannone declined to dismiss the charges for the retrial, stating that no verdict was officially announced in court1.

The mistrial has led to several legal maneuvers and developments:

• Read filed multiple appeals to state and federal courts in an attempt to get the charges dropped, but these efforts were unsuccessful1.

• In a surprising twist, Read added Victoria George, an alternate juror from her first trial and a licensed civil attorney in Massachusetts, to her legal team for the retrial1.

• The case has garnered national attention, with Read amassing a legion of supporters who have been spotted outside the courtroom holding signs in solidarity2.

The retrial faces significant challenges, particularly in jury selection due to the polarized opinions surrounding the case. Judge Beverly Cannone has ruled that the defense may present evidence implicating specific individuals but cannot broadly argue third-party culpability during opening statements1. New prosecutorial leadership under Hank Brennan, a high-profile attorney, is expected to take a more aggressive approach than his predecessor2. The case continues to draw intense public interest, with supporters of both Read and O'Keefe demonstrating outside the courthouse1. This heightened scrutiny and the complex allegations of police misconduct have made selecting an impartial jury a daunting task in a community deeply divided over the case13.