The jury has reached a verdict in Karen Learn’s retrial for the 2022 homicide of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, RadarOnline.com can reveal.
After deliberating for 4 days, jurors discovered Learn not responsible of second-degree homicide, essentially the most severe crime she confronted, in addition to not responsible of leaving the scene of an accident leading to demise.
Learn was discovered responsible of drunk driving, which was one of many lesser prices she confronted.
Article continues under commercial
An Emotional Scene
Learn supporters wearing pink erupted in
As the decision was learn aloud in courtroom, Learn, who was wearing a powder blue swimsuit, grew to become emotional and seemed to be crying as she hugged members of her protection group and different supporters within the courtroom.
Outdoors the Norfolk Superior Courthouse, a crowd of Learn supporters, wearing her favourite colour pink, erupted in cheers and applause.
Attributable to Learn being acquitted of her most severe cost, she is not going to spend any time behind bars.
As a result of Learn is a first-time offender for the drunk driving conviction, Choose Beverly Cannone agreed to the Commonwealth’s sentencing advice of 1 12 months of probation.
Article continues under commercial
Learn and her group flashed the ASL signal for ‘I like you’ to followers gathered exterior.
Whereas the jubilant crowd of Learn supporters eagerly waited for her to exit the courthouse, they started chanting “justice for John,” “Karen Learn is free” and “Morrissey sucks,” in reference to Norfolk County district legal professional Michael Morrissey who introduced homicide prices in opposition to Learn.
The gang additionally appeared to name for Choose Cannone to be faraway from the bench.
Supporters went wild when Learn lastly appeared on the courthouse steps, flashing the signal for “I like you” in American Signal Language to the throng of followers gathered exterior.
Article continues under commercial
Learn Speaks Out
Learn thanked her supporters for his or her assist in her first assertion because the not responsible verdict.
In her first assertion because the not responsible verdict was introduced, Learn thanked her authorized group and “wonderful” supporters whereas insisted “nobody has fought tougher for justice” for her late boyfriend greater than she and her protection group have.
Learn instructed the gang: “I couldn’t be standing right here with out these wonderful supporters who’ve supported me and my group financially and extra importantly emotionally for nearly 4 years.
“Nobody has fought tougher for justice for John O’Keefe than I’ve. Than I’ve, and my group.”
Article continues under commercial
Learn’s Father Thanks Supporters
Learn’s father Invoice praised his daughter’s energy and thanked her authorized group.
READ MORE ON NEWS
After Learn addressed supporters, her father Invoice Learn spoke and praised her energy all through the eight-week retrial.
Invoice mentioned, “I need to acknowledge the energy of our daughter, Karen, the assist of your complete Learn prolonged household,” earlier than he prolonged his gratitude for “the best group of attorneys.”
He continued: “We thank all people for his or her assist from the center. We love you all. The entire content material suppliers, you helped unfold the phrase. Thanks a lot. God bless you all.”
By no means Miss an
Day by day updates from the center of Hollywood, proper to your inbox
By getting into your e-mail and clicking Signal Up, you’re agreeing to allow us to ship you customised advertising and marketing messages about us and our promoting companions. You’re additionally agreeing to our Phrases of Service and Privateness Coverage.
Article continues under commercial
Learn has maintained her innocence since she was initially charged with manslaughter on February 1, 2022. The cost was later upgraded to second-degree homicide by a grand jury in June 2022.
Prosecutors claimed Learn intentional hit O’Keefe together with her Lexus SUV after an evening out ingesting and left him to die exterior as a snowstorm approached.
The protection group argued Learn was the sufferer of a biased investigation and was being framed by police.
Her first trial started in April 2024 and resulted in a mistrial as a result of a hung jury on July 1 after 5 days of deliberating.