CANTON, MA - Netflix has announced one of its newest docu-series, focusing on the Karen Read murder trial and the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe.
According to a news release from Netflix, the new show will be a three-part documentary on the death of O'Keefe. On January 29, 2022, O'Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow outside of a home in Canton, Massachusetts. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
His then-girlfriend, Read, was charged with second degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Prosecutors argued that Read was drunk and angry with O'Keefe when she allegedly hit him with her SUV. The defense attorneys, on the other hand, claim that Read was framed for his death and that she is a victim of a conspiracy by law enforcement to cover up the real killers.
The trial spanned several months and drew tons of media attention, and on July 1st, the jury informed the presiding judge that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial. Norfolk County prosecutors have stated that they intend to retry Read for O'Keefe's murder.
The defense, however, is pushing for dismissal on two charges — second degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. According to CBS News, Judge Beverly Cannon has set a status conference for July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. Read is set to appear in-person with her lawyer David Yannetti.
The new Netflix series does not yet have a title. However, it is currently in production with Sandpaper Films and will be co-directed by Danielle Johnson and Rob Miller. In a joint statement, they said, "The team feels immensely privileged to be bringing this important series to a Netflix global audience.
It is a case that has garnered a huge amount of public attention and has far-reaching implications. We are also mindful that this is a hugely sensitive case and we are determined to treat all those involved with the respect and consideration they deserve"
Legal analyst Jennifer Roman said that it could be several months or even over a year before another trial happens. She said that it could be hard to do in a place where so many minds are already made up. She added, "If this case has to be retried, we're going back to the same pool of people, the same Norfolk County jury pool and we're again going to have to try to find a subset of people that really know nothing about this case. It's going to be extraordinarily difficult."
Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Jack Lu said that the Commonwealth's quick recommitment to the case and Judge Cannon's setting of a July status conference date shows a highly motivated effort to get Read's retrial in motion.
Lu said, "You might have a mini-appeals process where it's not given full consideration. Maybe a delay of a couple of months, if there is one. Or if you had a full appeals process it could delay a trial a year or more." WBZ-TV chief investigator Cheryl Fiandaca, who is also a lawyer, said that "anything is possible" after the mistrial.
She said, "There could be a plea deal. She can also appeal the case in addition to that, showing that there wasn't enough sufficient evidence to convict her so there should not be another trial. And then the DA can decide on the charges and decide to maybe get rid of that second-degree murder charge if they think that was the problem, and that may have been the reason why the jury couldn't come to a decision."
The jury list remains impounded as questions swirl about the safety of possible jurors and the prosecution will have to manage the fallout as one of their key witnesses, former State Police Lead Investigator Michael Proctor, was suspended without pay for his conduct. According to NBC 10, he had already been relieved of duty and had his police-issued cruiser, gun, and gear taken away, but was still receiving a paycheck pending the hearing.
During the two-month long trial, Proctor was forced to acknowledge and apologize for sending offensive texts about Read to friends, family, and fellow troopers during the investigation into O'Keefe's death. If convicted of the charges brought against her, Read would face up to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
According to a news release from Netflix, the new show will be a three-part documentary on the death of O'Keefe. On January 29, 2022, O'Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow outside of a home in Canton, Massachusetts. He was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.
His then-girlfriend, Read, was charged with second degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol, and for leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death.
Prosecutors argued that Read was drunk and angry with O'Keefe when she allegedly hit him with her SUV. The defense attorneys, on the other hand, claim that Read was framed for his death and that she is a victim of a conspiracy by law enforcement to cover up the real killers.
The trial spanned several months and drew tons of media attention, and on July 1st, the jury informed the presiding judge that they were unable to reach a unanimous verdict, resulting in a mistrial. Norfolk County prosecutors have stated that they intend to retry Read for O'Keefe's murder.
The defense, however, is pushing for dismissal on two charges — second degree murder and leaving the scene of a crash resulting in death. According to CBS News, Judge Beverly Cannon has set a status conference for July 22nd at 2:00 p.m. Read is set to appear in-person with her lawyer David Yannetti.
The new Netflix series does not yet have a title. However, it is currently in production with Sandpaper Films and will be co-directed by Danielle Johnson and Rob Miller. In a joint statement, they said, "The team feels immensely privileged to be bringing this important series to a Netflix global audience.
It is a case that has garnered a huge amount of public attention and has far-reaching implications. We are also mindful that this is a hugely sensitive case and we are determined to treat all those involved with the respect and consideration they deserve"
Legal analyst Jennifer Roman said that it could be several months or even over a year before another trial happens. She said that it could be hard to do in a place where so many minds are already made up. She added, "If this case has to be retried, we're going back to the same pool of people, the same Norfolk County jury pool and we're again going to have to try to find a subset of people that really know nothing about this case. It's going to be extraordinarily difficult."
Retired Massachusetts Superior Court Judge Jack Lu said that the Commonwealth's quick recommitment to the case and Judge Cannon's setting of a July status conference date shows a highly motivated effort to get Read's retrial in motion.
Lu said, "You might have a mini-appeals process where it's not given full consideration. Maybe a delay of a couple of months, if there is one. Or if you had a full appeals process it could delay a trial a year or more." WBZ-TV chief investigator Cheryl Fiandaca, who is also a lawyer, said that "anything is possible" after the mistrial.
She said, "There could be a plea deal. She can also appeal the case in addition to that, showing that there wasn't enough sufficient evidence to convict her so there should not be another trial. And then the DA can decide on the charges and decide to maybe get rid of that second-degree murder charge if they think that was the problem, and that may have been the reason why the jury couldn't come to a decision."
The jury list remains impounded as questions swirl about the safety of possible jurors and the prosecution will have to manage the fallout as one of their key witnesses, former State Police Lead Investigator Michael Proctor, was suspended without pay for his conduct. According to NBC 10, he had already been relieved of duty and had his police-issued cruiser, gun, and gear taken away, but was still receiving a paycheck pending the hearing.
During the two-month long trial, Proctor was forced to acknowledge and apologize for sending offensive texts about Read to friends, family, and fellow troopers during the investigation into O'Keefe's death. If convicted of the charges brought against her, Read would face up to life in prison with the possibility of parole.
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