Karen Reed’s Murder Trial Update

In Dedham, Massachusetts, the defense team for Karen Reed has requested to amend the suppression of the verdict during her retrial on a murder charge. This motion was presented as the judge returned to court for initial deliberations regarding the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe.

David Jannetti, one of Reed’s lawyers, expressed hopes that the proposed amendments would impact the ongoing deliberations that resumed on April 22, following the previous trial’s conclusion last year where the jury could not reach a unanimous decision.

The trial has been extensive—lasting more than 30 days before the recent deliberations began. Judge Beverly Canone provided jury instructions for about an hour before they commenced deliberations around 2:40 p.m. on Friday.

Key Moments in the Trial

Reed, aged 45, faces serious charges related to a hit-and-run incident during a Blizzard in January 2022, which allegedly resulted in O’Keefe’s death. Testimony from prosecutors indicated that he suffered a fatal skull fracture after falling on frozen ground outside another officer’s house party, where he had been drinking.

The defense, however, maintains that there was no collision involving Reed’s vehicle. They argue that a romantic rival may have attacked O’Keefe and placed his body at the location where it was found. Some testimony and text messages presented during the trial suggest O’Keefe’s relationship with Reed was troubled at the time of his death.

Following a prior deadlocked jury last year, which could not agree on the charges against Reed, this retrial is pivotal. If found guilty, Reed could face significant prison time for the charges which include second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.