Fri Sep 20 14:17:00 UTC 2024: ## Mansfield Woman’s Murder Trial to be Re-Tried with New Prosecutor

**MANSFIELD, MA** – The retrial of Karen Read, accused of killing her Boston Police Officer boyfriend John O’Keefe in January 2022, will see a new prosecutor at the helm. Norfolk County District Attorney Michael Morrissey has appointed Hank Brennan, a prominent Boston lawyer with experience in both prosecution and defense, to lead the state’s legal team.

Read’s initial trial in Dedham Superior Court ended in a mistrial in July after the jury was unable to reach a verdict on the charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter by a motor vehicle while driving drunk, and leaving the scene of an accident with injury and death.

Following the mistrial, Read’s legal team argued that jurors had acquitted her of the murder and leaving the scene charges during deliberations, but could not reach a verdict on the manslaughter charge. They requested that these charges be dismissed, but Judge Beverly Cannone denied their request.

The case is now set to be heard by the full state Supreme Judicial Court in November. Read’s lawyers are seeking to overturn the Superior Court’s decision to deny the dismissal of the murder and leaving the scene charges. They have until Sept. 25 to file their brief, with the prosecution having until Oct. 16 to respond.

If Read is ultimately tried on the second-degree murder charge and convicted, she could face life in prison with parole eligibility. The maximum sentence for manslaughter while driving drunk is 20 years.

Read remains free on bail and is scheduled for retrial in January.

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