A fourth juror in the Karen Read trial has come forward to report that the jury found her “not guilty” of second-degree murder and leaving a scene of personal injury and death, attorneys wrote in court documents.
Read’s attorneys are asking the judge to dismiss the two counts when the case goes to trial again.
Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass.
Steven Senne/AP
“There was no manifest necessity for a mistrial as to those counts, and therefore the Double Jeopardy protections of the federal and state Constitutions require that those counts not be retried,” Read’s defense attorney Alan Jackson wrote in court documents.
Judge Beverly Cannone declared the mistrial on July 1 after the jury informed her that they were deadlocked. Read’s attorneys have since filed a motion to dismiss the case.
Officer suspended
Damning testimony during Read’s trial led to the suspension of Massachusetts State Police Officer Michael Proctor. Trial testimony revealed Proctor was communicating with Canton Police Officer Kevin Albert during the investigation ahead of Read’s murder trial.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor takes the stand during Karen Read’s murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court, June 10, 2024, in Dedham, Mass.
Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Images
Albert is the brother of Brian Albert, who hosted the party at the house where John O’Keefe’s body was found outside. The Canton Police Department had recused itself from the investigation due to the Albert brothers’ connection to the case.
This undated photo released by the Boston Police Department shows officer John O’Keefe.
Boston Police Department via AP, File
Kevin Albert was also placed on paid administrative leave, according to WCVB. The Canton Police Department did not immediately respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
Canton Police Officer Kevin Albert is seen in this 2014 photo posted to the Canton Police Facebook account.
Canton Police/Facebook
The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 22.
