(CNN) Karen Read, a free woman who was found not guilty of murder, walked down the steps of the Norfolk County Superior Court on Wednesday.
There were tears and “I love you” gestures as the crowd and Read celebrated a long-awaited legal conclusion, even if it included a conviction on a lesser crime. They were greeted by a sea of supporters who cheered and fired pink confetti cannons.
The lady who went from being a murder suspect to a cult hero appears to have a bright future, but her legal struggles are far from over.
For her fans, who celebrated her acquittal this week, Read has become somewhat of a celebrity after two criminal jury trials over the death of her lover, a police officer. Despite spending almost three years as a murder suspect, the former financial analyst is still facing a civil action related to the death of John O. Keefe.
RELATED | Karen Read was found guilty of drunk driving in her boyfriend’s death but not guilty of second-degree murder.
It’s unclear exactly what Read will do next. She seemed to be enjoying the occasion with her family, nevertheless, just after the decision.
CNN affiliate WCVB said that on Wednesday night, Read was spotted enjoying a happy meal with her defense team and family at a classy restaurant in Boston’s Seaport neighborhood.
Thank you, happy, I’m happy, Reporters were informed by Read. I put up the strongest fight for John O. Keefe.
More legal challenges
Read also faces further legal challenges even though prosecutors are unable to file criminal charges against her in connection with O Keefe’s death.
In August 2024, O Keefe’s family filed a civil complaint for wrongful death, claiming that Read was responsible for the careless actions that led to his demise.
The lawsuit also alleges that the Waterfall Bar and Grill and C.F. McCarthy’s, two Canton bars, negligently provided alcohol to an inebriated individual. Court documents state that both bars have refuted such accusation.
According to the filing, O Keefe’s family claimed that Read’s public remarks of what transpired that evening were a fabrication and that they had been further distressed emotionally. Read has stated that her public remarks constitute her testimony and has taken part in interviews and a documentary series about the case.
The circumstances surrounding O Keefe’s death are not the only aspect of the civil claim. According to the lawsuit, his family also claims that when Read woke up O Keefe’s niece to inform her that something had occurred to her uncle, she caused her mental distress.
Regarding the pending dispute, Read’s attorneys in the civil case chose not to respond to CNN. The lawyers for O Keefe have not responded to CNN.
According to papers, the O Keefes are requesting $50,000 in damages, and if a settlement cannot be reached first, the lawsuit may proceed to trial. According to court records, the civil lawsuit was halted while the criminal trial proceeded. According to the docket, no additional court dates have been set as of yet.
The jury convicted Read guilty of drunk driving but cleared her of homicide. The typical punishment for first-time offenders is one year of probation and completion of a driver alcohol education program.
According to Massachusetts law, Read’s driver’s license will also be suspended for up to 90 days as part of the driver alcohol education program.
Other investigations
Since Read was found not guilty of O Keefe’s murder, no one has been held responsible for his passing.
One of Read’s lawyers, David Yannetti, reaffirmed Thursday that even if his client was found not guilty of killing O Keefe, additional action may still be necessary.
During the three and a half years they spent pursuing an innocent woman, they failed because they charged the incorrect person. However, he told WCVB outside the restaurant that someone was still out there.
The homicide investigation regarding O Keefe’s death may or may not proceed.
The jury has spoken, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey told CNN affiliate WBZ following the court. His office was contacted by CNN, but they were unable to comment on the verdict or the homicide investigation.
O Keefe family friend John Jackson told CNN station WCVB that they will make an effort to move on and preserve O Keefe’s memory.
He simply deserved far better than this. It is wrong to have this circus. However, you honor the jury’s verdict. According to Jackson, it is what it is.
Following O Keefe’s death, the FBI opened a federal investigation into law enforcement; however, during Read’s second trial, special prosecutor Hank Brennen declared in court that the investigation was terminated without any charges being brought.
However, defense lawyer Alan Jackson stated in an appearance with the Howie Carr Show, a local radio show, on Thursday that he still had concerns regarding that probe.
An investigating agency notifying the target that the case is ended is something I’ve never heard of. He informed Carr that it had never occurred. I’m still curious about that, then.
Jackson stated that he believes they should look into it because there is a lot of proof.
Following O Keefe’s death and the ensuing inquiry, the Massachusetts State Police promised to implement new measures to enhance its procedure.
Col. Geoffrey Noble stated in a message posted on Facebook Thursday that the past three years have forced our Department to carefully examine our activities and take decisive measures to provide advanced investigative training, guarantee proper oversight, and improve accountability.
And some personal challenges
According to Vanity Fair reporting from last year, Read incurred substantial expenses while claiming her innocence since legal battles are costly. According to the article, Read spent all of her funds and other donations to pay $1.2 million before and during her initial trial. According to Vanity Fair, that covered everything from paying bail to providing lodging for her attorneys and hiring specialists like private investigators.
According to the magazine, Read had $5 million in deferred legal bills before her second trial ever began.
People continued to contribute to Read’s online legal fund, which has raised over $1 million as of Friday. After the decision on Wednesday, Read thanked fans for their financial support while speaking to them on the courthouse steps.
Read’s health problems can possibly have a big impact on her future.
According to court reporting from WCVB, Read has stated that she has multiple sclerosis and Crohn’s disease, and during the first trial, text messages from lead investigator Michael Proctor regarding her medical concerns were discovered.
According to the court clerk, a health concern caused one day of testifying in her second trial to be postponed. According to a person familiar with the situation, CNN affiliate WCVB said Read was ill.
Read and her lawyers were contacted by CNN for comment on this information, but they did not respond.
A groundswell of support
The murder case against Read split the close-knit community of Canton, Massachusetts, and the surrounding suburbs three and a half years ago.
Demanding answers, residents disrupted municipal council meetings. Some claimed that the local police had staged a cover-up to shield the people attending the Fairview Road party. What started out as a local homicide case became a national sensation as others took to social media platforms to talk about the complexities of that fatal night.
Many residents in Canton and its surrounding areas picked a side: they either agreed with prosecutors who said Read hit and killed O Keefe with her car after a night out or sided with the defense, who said she was framed.
The allegations of corruption and law enforcement tainting the investigation into O Keefe s death was a galvanizing force for Read s supporters.
The public outpouring of support started as a grassroots movement, according to CNN correspondent Jean Casarez, who has spoken with many of the people in Read s crowds. The movement was based on the belief among many that law enforcement tampering with evidence was rampant in their community and Read s case became the symbol of that.
In a previous statement to CNN, Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty said investigators found absolutely no evidence of a cover up in the tragic death of John O Keefe.
At a town board meeting in August 2023, she acknowledged there s a mistrust for the police department in Canton, but said it s not as widespread as portrayed.
However, I do acknowledge that it is there, and I hear you, she said. I believe the first step in bridging that trust gap is effective and healthy communication. She did not respond to further questions from CNN on the root of the mistrust.
The town s Select Board Chair John McCourt acknowledged this week the case has deeply affected the community.
He said the trial s outcome may bring a sense of relief to some and continue to raise questions for others. We encourage members of the community to move forward together, treating one another with respect through civil, constructive dialogue, according to a statement on the town s website Thursday.
The public interest in the case continues. The day of the verdict, Netflix announced a new documentary series that will explore what happened in the days leading up to O Keefe s death, according to a statement from the streaming company.
CNN s Faith Karimi and Jean Casarez contributed reporting.
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