From Acquittal to Accusation: Karen Read’s Team Says Investigation Missed the Real Suspect

Even after Karen Read was found not guilty of killing Boston police officer John O’Keefe, her legal team says the case is far from over. In a powerful statement following the verdict, her defense attorney shocked the public by saying, “Somebody is still out there.” The comment has sparked a new wave of questions about what really happened the night O’Keefe died—and whether the true suspect is still walking free.

This case, once thought to be closed, is now burning hotter than ever.

The Verdict That Shocked the State

On June 20, 2025, Karen Read was acquitted of all major charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter, in connection to the death of her boyfriend, Officer John O’Keefe. The only charge she was found guilty of was drunk driving, a minor piece in a case that gripped Massachusetts for over two years.

But it wasn’t just the verdict that made headlines—it was what her lawyers said next.

What Her Defense Team Is Saying

After the courtroom cleared, Read’s attorney David Yannetti made a bold and chilling statement to reporters:

“I fought for John O’Keefe harder than anyone in this case… but somebody’s still out there.”

Yannetti and fellow defense lawyer Robert Alessi believe key people were left out of the investigation, and that the focus on Read from the very beginning allowed someone else to go unpunished.

They point to inconsistencies in evidence, missing witnesses, and even a bias from investigators—claiming the real story remains hidden.

What Happened That Night?

John O’Keefe was found dead in the snow outside a fellow police officer’s home in Canton, Massachusetts in January 2022. At the time, prosecutors said Karen Read had dropped him off and then hit him with her SUV, leaving him to die in the freezing cold.

But Read’s team argued something much darker happened: that O’Keefe may have been attacked inside the house and then moved outside to cover it up.

That theory seemed to resonate with several jurors.

Jurors Raise Big Questions

Juror Paula Prado came forward after the verdict and confirmed many members of the jury had serious doubts about the state’s version of events.

She said:

“I am 100% sure she didn’t kill him. Something happened inside that house.”

Jurors also wondered why key people at the house—like Brian Higgins and the homeowner Jennifer McCabe—were never called to testify, even though they were central to the case.

Why The Investigation Is Still Under Fire

The lead investigator in the case, State Trooper Michael Proctor, was fired earlier this year after his offensive and biased text messages about Read were made public. Many now believe the investigation was flawed from the beginning—biased, rushed, and incomplete.

Her lawyers say if law enforcement really wants justice for O’Keefe, they need to look beyond Karen Read and start asking tougher questions of those who were inside that house.

What’s Next?

• Karen Read’s defense team wants a full review of the case, starting with people they say were protected during the original investigation.

• O’Keefe’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Karen Read, which could lead to more courtroom drama.

• Many in the public, especially online, are now demanding a deeper probe into what happened that night.