Karen Read Appeals Murder Charge After Mistrial

Karen Read’s legal team has filed an appeal to the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court, seeking to dismiss two of the three charges against her, including second-degree murder, following a mistrial in July. The defense argues that retrying her on these charges violates double jeopardy protections, citing jurors' unanimous decision to acquit Read on these charges. Judge Beverly Cannone previously denied the motion to dismiss, stating that the mistrial did not equate to an acquittal. Prosecutors maintain that Read intentionally hit and killed her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with her SUV. The defense contends that O'Keefe was beaten and framed, and that Read did not intentionally hit him. The retrial is scheduled for January 27, 2025, pending the resolution of the appeal.