Karen Read tells prosecutors ‘you lost big time’ in first public interview since acquittal

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Karen Learn has spoken publicly for the primary time since being acquitted within the dying of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. vowing to combat again towards these she says framed her — with civil lawsuits looming and a message of defiance to Massachusetts prosecutors.

In a defiant message, she vowed to pursue civil lawsuits towards these she alleges framed her whereas strongly criticizing Massachusetts prosecutors.

“You misplaced. You misplaced huge time. And you realize what you probably did,” Learn stated throughout an interview on “The Howie Carr Present.”

Learn appeared alongside her lawyer, Alan Jackson, who confirmed they're getting ready a sweeping civil case. Potential targets embrace the Massachusetts State Police, the Norfolk County District Lawyer’s Workplace, and people tied to the investigation.

“I’m again for a motive…we’re contemplating all choices. Nothing is off the desk,” Jackson stated, noting the staff is weighing each state and federal actions.

Learn opened up about her life following the decision, describing it as removed from what she anticipated.

She famous she has endured profound private losses, together with the profession she constructed at Constancy.

“That job was not only a job, that was my profession, and I nonetheless miss it.” Learn stated.

Karen Learn vowed to combat again towards these she says framed her after she was acquitted within the dying of her boyfriend Boston police officer John O’Keefe. David McGlynn

Learn added she additionally misplaced her house, which she needed to promote through the course of her two trials, and her Lexus SUV, which stays within the possession of prosecutors as proof.

Even her independence, she stated, was stripped away.

“I haven’t pushed in 4 years…I used to be in a jail of the making of the Massachusetts State Police and DA’s workplace.”

Regardless of these setbacks, she stated she is specializing in what actually issues.

Reed is now residing along with her mother and father, whom she known as “the strongest individuals I do know,” and stated she cherishes each day with them after fearing she wouldn’t survive to see them post-acquittal.

“I really feel fortunate. I’ve misplaced rather a lot, however I nonetheless have what’s most vital. My mother and father are of their late 70s, and I’m grateful they’re nonetheless right here,” she stated.

Karen Learn reacts as the ultimate verdicts in her homicide trial are learn at Norfolk Superior Courtroom in Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. June 18, 2025. by way of REUTERS

Jackson argued Reed endured “double jeopardy” after being tried twice on the identical allegations:

“She was jailed twice. Twice too many instances…and each instances jurors decided there was no collision,” Jackson stated.

He additionally blasted Boston officer Kelly Dever, a prosecution witness, accusing her of both mendacity or having “false recollections.”

“How may she fairly be a police officer going ahead?” he requested.

As for O’Keefe’s dying, Jackson stated bluntly, “John O’Keefe’s killer or killers have but to be dropped at justice. I worry that's by no means going to occur.”

Karen Learn gestures to her supporters outdoors Norfolk County Superior Courtroom after she was acquitted in June. David McGlynn

Each Learn and Jackson reserved a few of their strongest criticism for Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey.

“For Christ’s sake…the neighborhood doesn’t need you. They only don’t,” Jackson stated.

When requested about studies that actress Elizabeth Banks would painting her in an upcoming Amazon restricted sequence, Learn admitted she was stunned.

“It’s not licensed by me in any approach. I’ve by no means spoken to her. That is my story to inform,” Learn stated.

“It’s Karen Reed’s story to inform, not Hollywood’s to invent,” Jackson echoed.

Trying forward, Learn stated her plans stay unsure, however she is set to inform her story in her personal phrases.

“I don’t all the time know what’s subsequent,” she stated. “However I do wish to write a guide. There’s a lot extra individuals want to listen to.”

Learn’s supporters stand throughout from Norfolk County Superior Courtroom after the decision. David McGlynn

For now, she is specializing in reclaiming her life, with the prospect of a high-stakes civil case looming.

“Nothing is off the desk,” Jackson repeated. “Nobody is off the desk.”

Learn confronted a number of expenses, together with homicide, in reference to the January 29, 2022, dying of her boyfriend on the time, John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer.

Prosecutors claimed she mowed him along with her Lexus SUV and left him to die in a blizzard.

Nonetheless, her protection maintained she by no means hit him, argued that the police investigation was flawed, and prompt one other celebration was accountable. After a mistrial, jurors the second time round discovered her not responsible of all homicide-related expenses and located her responsible of driving beneath the affect of liquor.

Initially, police charged her with drunken driving manslaughter and fleeing the scene. Prosecutors later secured an indictment for the extra critical cost of second-degree homicide. Finally, jurors cleared her of all of these allegations however decided that she had consumed alcohol earlier than driving.

Karen Learn, left, her attorneys Robert Alessi and David Yannetti together with prosecutor Hank Brennan, left to proper, meet at facet bar throughout her retrial on Could 30, 2025. AP

Learn obtained a yr of probation for the drunken driving conviction. She continues to be dealing with a wrongful dying lawsuit from O’Keefe’s household, which her civil protection staff requested the court docket to dismiss earlier this month.

The case led residents of Canton, Massachusetts, to push for an unbiased overview of their police division. The audit discovered no proof of a conspiracy towards Learn however highlighted a number of procedural errors, together with not photographing the sufferer’s physique earlier than it was moved, failing to safe the scene, and conducting witness interviews outdoors official premises.

The Massachusetts State Police additionally launched an inside investigation into lead murder detective Michael Proctor, who was fired for sharing confidential info with non-law enforcement people and consuming on the job. He's interesting his dismissal.