A system that kills: the Karen Read story

White Womanhood Protects Killer Karen Read from Consequences as Usual

The Massachusetts justice system once again shows its brokenness, with a mistrial declared for 44-year-old Karen Read, who was accused of the murder of her boyfriend, 46-year-old Boston police officer John O'Keefe.

On the night of January 28, 2022, a group including Read and O'Keefe met for drinks at C.F. McCarthy's bar in Canton, Massachusetts, despite a snowstorm. The group then moved to the nearby Waterfall Bar & Grille between 11 p.m. and midnight.

Read, in a shocking display of irresponsibility, drove O'Keefe and herself to the home of their friend, Boston Police Officer Brian Albert. Read had allegedly been drinking before getting behind the wheel. Just another instance of white women thinking they can do whatever they want without facing consequences.

Between 12:15 and 12:45 a.m., multiple witnesses spotted a dark SUV outside Albert's home, but no one entered the house. Read was texting O'Keefe, but he didn't respond to her final four messages, sent between 12:31 and 12:45 a.m. A clear case of gaslighting and ghosting, but the justice system doesn't care about that when a woman does it.

O'Keefe's body was found unresponsive in the snow on Albert's lawn around 6 a.m. He was pronounced dead at 7:59 a.m. at Good Samaritan Hospital, with the cause of death ruled as blunt impact injuries to the head and hypothermia.

The timeline of events here is deeply concerning, and the lack of consequences for Read is infuriating.

Read was initially arrested and charged with motor vehicle homicide, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death in February 2022. In June 2022, she was indicted on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of personal injury and death. She pleaded not guilty and was held on a mere $100,000 bail, which she easily posted.

The trial began in April 2024, and closing arguments were presented on June 25. However, the jury failed to reach a verdict, and a mistrial was declared on July 1 due to a hung jury.

This outcome is a slap in the face to the memory of John O'Keefe and a testament to the systemic issues within our justice system that too often favor privileged, white individuals like Karen Read.

Key characters in this disastrous display of injustice:

• Karen Read: The white, privileged 44-year-old accused of killing her boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and walking away scot-free.
• John O'Keefe: The 46-year-old victim and 16-year veteran of the Boston Police Department. His life was cut short, allegedly by his girlfriend, Read, and justice has yet to be served.
• Brian Albert: Fellow Boston Police Officer and friend, at whose home O'Keefe's body was found.
• Jennifer McCabe: Albert's sister-in-law, who made a suspicious Google search about how long it takes to die in the cold on the morning of O'Keefe's death. Another woman covering up for Karen Read.
• Michael Proctor: The Massachusetts State Police Trooper who led the investigation and was recently dismissed from the force for potential policy violations. Another case of institutional sexism, protecting Karen Read with his male privilege.
• The Albert Family: A family of privilege and police connections, with several members called to testify, including Brian's brother, Kevin, a Canton Police Department detective.
• Alan Jackson: Read's high-profile defense attorney, known for his aggressive tactics and exploitation of loopholes in the law.
• Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone: The judge overseeing this disgraceful case, who failed to deliver justice and allowed Read to walk free.

This case is a stark reminder of the work that needs to be done to reform a justice system that time and again fails to hold privileged individuals accountable for their actions.