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Karen Read is accused in a wrongful death lawsuit by the family of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, following a criminal trial that ended in a hung jury. Explore the details of the case, the lawsuit, and the upcoming retrial.
Karen Read Accused in Wrongful Death Lawsuit by Family of Boston Police Officer
In a case that has gripped the Boston community and sparked widespread media coverage, Karen Read, a Massachusetts woman, faces a wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of her late boyfriend, John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer. The lawsuit comes in the wake of a criminal trial that ended in a hung jury, leaving unresolved questions about the events that led to O’Keefe’s death on a cold night in January 2022.
Background of the Case
John O’Keefe, a 46-year-old veteran of the Boston Police Department, was found dead outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts, on January 29, 2022. The house belonged to a former Boston police officer who was hosting a gathering that night. The tragic incident occurred after O’Keefe had spent the evening out with his girlfriend, Karen Read, who is now accused of causing his death.
Karen Read, 44, was charged with several serious offenses, including second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision causing death. Prosecutors alleged that after an argument, Read struck O’Keefe with her Lexus SUV and left him to die in the snow. However, Read has maintained her innocence, claiming that she was framed by law enforcement officers who were trying to cover up the real circumstances of O’Keefe’s death.
The Criminal Trial and Its Aftermath
The criminal trial against Karen Read was closely followed, with the public and media eagerly awaiting the jury’s decision. However, after five days of deliberations, the jury could not reach a unanimous verdict, leading the judge to declare a mistrial on July 1, 2023. According to Read’s defense team, four jurors later stated that the entire panel had found Read not guilty on two of the charges: second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a collision. The jury remained deadlocked on the manslaughter charge, which led to the mistrial.
Despite the mistrial, prosecutors have vowed to retry the case, with a new trial scheduled to begin on January 27, 2024. In the meantime, the O’Keefe family has taken legal action of their own, filing a wrongful death lawsuit against Read and two bars that allegedly served her alcohol on the night of the incident.
The Wrongful Death Lawsuit
The wrongful death lawsuit, filed in Plymouth County Superior Court by John O’Keefe’s estate, accuses Karen Read of causing O’Keefe’s death through her reckless actions. The lawsuit also targets two establishments, C.F. McCarthy’s and Waterfall Bar & Grille, accusing them of contributing to O’Keefe’s death by serving alcohol to Read when she was already intoxicated.
According to the lawsuit, Karen Read consumed multiple alcoholic beverages at these two bars on the night of January 28, 2022. The lawsuit alleges that C.F. McCarthy’s served Read seven drinks over the course of an hour and a half. Shortly after, she is said to have consumed a shot and a mixed drink at Waterfall Bar & Grille. The suit claims that Read was visibly intoxicated and that the bars were negligent in continuing to serve her alcohol.
After leaving the bars, Read and O’Keefe reportedly drove to the home of the former Boston police officer in Canton. The lawsuit alleges that an argument ensued between the couple, leading O’Keefe to exit the vehicle. It was at this point, according to the lawsuit, that Read fatally struck O’Keefe with her SUV, leaving him to die outside in the snow.
Accusations of Negligence and Emotional Distress
The O’Keefe family’s lawsuit not only accuses Karen Read of wrongful death but also charges her and the two bars with negligent infliction of emotional distress. The family claims that Read’s actions and the bars’ negligence in serving her alcohol caused them severe emotional pain and suffering.
The lawsuit does not specify the amount of damages being sought, but it is clear that the O’Keefe family is seeking justice for the loss of their loved one. They argue that Read’s actions on the night of January 28 were reckless and directly resulted in O’Keefe’s death. The inclusion of the two bars in the lawsuit highlights the family’s belief that the establishments played a role in enabling Read’s behavior by serving her excessive amounts of alcohol.
Karen Read’s Defense and Allegations of a Cover-Up
Karen Read’s defense team has strongly contested the accusations against her, both in the criminal trial and in the wrongful death lawsuit. They have painted a picture of a woman who is being unfairly targeted by law enforcement in a bid to cover up the true circumstances surrounding John O’Keefe’s death.
According to Read’s lawyers, their client dropped O’Keefe off at the Canton house and watched him enter the home before driving away. When she realized later that O’Keefe had not returned home, she became concerned and drove back to the house, where she found his lifeless body in the snow.
The defense has suggested that O’Keefe was not struck by Read’s vehicle but was instead assaulted inside the house and left outside to die. They argue that law enforcement officers, some of whom were present at the gathering that night, orchestrated a cover-up to protect themselves and frame Read for the crime.
These claims have added a layer of complexity to the case, with the defense accusing the prosecution of ignoring crucial evidence that could exonerate Read. The defense’s assertion that four jurors were prepared to acquit Read on the most serious charges further fuels their argument that the case against her is flawed.
The Role of the Bars in the Lawsuit
The wrongful death lawsuit’s inclusion of C.F. McCarthy’s and Waterfall Bar & Grille raises important questions about the responsibilities of establishments that serve alcohol. Under Massachusetts law, bars and restaurants can be held liable if they serve alcohol to a visibly intoxicated person who then causes harm to themselves or others.
The O’Keefe family’s lawsuit alleges that both bars were negligent in serving Karen Read on the night of the incident. The lawsuit claims that Read was visibly intoxicated, yet the bars continued to serve her alcohol, contributing to the events that led to O’Keefe’s death.
If the lawsuit is successful, it could have significant implications for the two establishments, potentially leading to financial penalties and heightened scrutiny of their alcohol-serving practices. The case also highlights the broader issue of alcohol-related liability and the responsibilities of those who serve alcohol to patrons.
The Community’s Response and the Upcoming Trial
The tragic death of John O’Keefe and the subsequent legal battles have had a profound impact on the Boston community. As a respected member of the Boston Police Department, O’Keefe’s death was a shock to his colleagues and the public. The accusations against Karen Read, combined with the defense’s allegations of a cover-up, have created a highly charged atmosphere surrounding the case.
As the new trial date approaches, the case continues to attract significant media attention. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by the O’Keefe family adds another layer of complexity to an already convoluted legal saga. Both the criminal trial and the civil lawsuit will be closely watched, not only by those directly involved but also by the broader public, who are eager to see justice served.
Conclusion
The wrongful death lawsuit filed by John O’Keefe’s family against Karen Read and the two bars that allegedly served her alcohol on the night of his death is a pivotal development in an already complicated case. As the legal proceedings continue, the case raises important questions about responsibility, accountability, and the search for truth in the wake of a tragic loss.
Karen Read’s upcoming retrial, coupled with the civil lawsuit, will determine whether she is held accountable for O’Keefe’s death or whether her claims of innocence and a law enforcement cover-up will prevail. The outcome of these legal battles will have lasting implications for all parties involved, and for the broader issue of justice in cases involving allegations of wrongful death and negligence. As the legal process unfolds, the pursuit of justice for John O’Keefe remains at the forefront, with his family determined to find answers and hold those responsible to account.
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