Karen Read Verdict Juror Exposes Police Blunder That Doomed Prosecution!

Karen Read Juror Speaks Out: Doubts Collision, Blames 'Sloppy' Investigation

In a stunning turn of events following the acquittal of Karen Read in the highly publicized murder trial, one of the jurors has come forward to express serious concerns about the prosecution's case. Speaking exclusively to ABC News' Matt Gutman, the juror, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that she believed "a collision did not occur" and attributed the failed prosecution to a "sloppy police investigation."

The case, which captivated the nation, centered around the death of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer. Prosecutors alleged that Read, his girlfriend at the time, struck O'Keefe with her car and left him to die in the snow after a night out in January 2022. The defense, however, argued that O'Keefe was involved in a fight inside a home and potentially attacked by a dog.

The juror's perspective sheds new light on the deliberations and the rationale behind the not-guilty verdict. Here's a breakdown of her key points:

• Doubt About Collision: The juror stated explicitly that the evidence presented did not convince her that a collision occurred.
• Focus on Evidence: She emphasized that determining what actually happened to O'Keefe was not her responsibility; her role was to assess the evidence presented.
• Dog Bite Theory: The juror noted that O’Keefe’s arm injuries seemed more consistent with a dog bite than injuries sustained from being hit by a car.

Perhaps the most damning assessment from the juror was directed at the police investigation.

"The sloppy police investigation," she stated, was the prosecution's biggest stumbling block. She further elaborated:

“I can’t assess the motive to the sloppy police investigation. It could be tampering, that’s a possibility. It could just be bad police work. But if anyone had done their job correctly, we wouldn’t be in this position. It would either be proved or disproved right away.”

Adding another layer of intrigue to the case, Brian and Nicole Albert, homeowners of the property where O'Keefe was found, spoke out for the first time. They maintain that O'Keefe never entered their home and that they learned about his death from Nicole's sister, Jen McCabe.

"She said, 'John's -- John's out front, John, I think John's dead out front,'" Brian Albert recounted. "I didn’t understand what she was talking about because why would John be out in front of my house? …By the time I came downstairs, the police were already in my house. John was already gone. There was nobody to save. I would have taken a bullet for John O'Keefe.”

The juror also revealed the dramatic moment when the jury initially delivered a verdict, only to rescind it shortly after. She explained there was "a moment of reconsideration" spurred by a fellow juror's second thoughts, leading to further deliberation. This highlights the weight and gravity of the decision-making process.

Another juror, Paula Prado, told WCVB that she initially thought Read was guilty of manslaughter, but changed her mind as the trial progressed. “As the, the weeks passed by, I just realized there was too many holes that we couldn't fill,” Prado said.

In response to the trial's outcome, the Massachusetts State Police issued a statement, offering condolences to O'Keefe's family and acknowledging the need for internal review and improved training.

“The events of the last three years have challenged our Department to thoroughly review our actions and take concrete steps to deliver advanced interrogation training, ensure appropriate oversight, and enhance accountability," the statement read.

The Karen Read case has undoubtedly left a lasting impact. The juror's candid revelations raise serious questions about the investigation and the evidence presented. While the legal proceedings have concluded, the debate surrounding John O'Keefe's death and the subsequent trial of Karen Read will likely continue for some time, reminding us of the complexities and potential fallibilities within the justice system.

Source: https://abcnews.go.com/US/karen-read-juror-thinks-collision-occur-blames-sloppy/story?id=123032791