US woman found not guilty of murdering her police officer boyfriend

Karen Read, an American woman accused of killing her boyfriend in January 2022, has been found not guilty of second-degree murder.

The jury also found her not guilty of vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of the collision. But she was convicted of driving while intoxicated.

A July 2024 trial stemming from the death of Boston police officer John O'Keefe collapsed after the jury could not reach a verdict on the charges against Ms Read.

She had pleaded not guilty to the charges, with her lawyers arguing that she was being framed for Mr O'Keefe's death.

As the verdict was read out, a loud cheer could be heard from outside the Massachusetts courthouse where a large crowd had gathered, many wearing pink to show support for Ms Read. She hugged her defence attorneys and cried after the verdict.

Outside court, Ms Read was met with loud cheers as she thanked supporters. "No one has fought harder for justice for John O'Keefe than I have," she said in a brief statement.

Prosecutors and Ms Read's attorneys agreed to a one-year probation order for the intoxication charge. It means Ms Read will avoid jail time.

The crowd outside, chanted "Free Karen Read" and made "I love you" signs. Some waved US flags and sang God Bless America.

Ms Read's trial has generated intense public interest, spawning a TV show and upcoming Netflix documentary.

Ms Read's father William thanked "all the content providers who helped spread the word".

Aidan "Turtleboy" Kearny, a blogger who has publicised the case, told NBC10 local news the verdict was "a surreal emotional experience".

"To finally hear those words: 'not guilty', I have been dreaming about this... It was a happy ending."

Ms Read, 44, worked as an adjunct professor at Bentley University and an equity analyst at Fidelity Investments.

She and Mr O'Keefe were together for about two years before his 2022 death, but the latter part of the pair's relationship was troubled, prosecutors argued.

Mr O'Keefe, who died at age 46, spent 16 years with the Boston Police Department.