DEDHAM, Mass. - The jurors in the Karen Read murder trial have informed the court that they have been unable to reach a unanimous verdict, leading to further deliberations ordered by Judge Beverly Cannone. The jury requested more time to review the extensive evidence presented during the trial.

After approximately three hours of deliberations on Friday, the jury foreperson penned a note expressing their exhaustive review of the evidence and diligent consideration of all disputed elements, while also stating their inability to come to a unanimous decision. The defense argued that the jury had exhausted all avenues for compromise, but the prosecution contended that more time was necessary for thorough deliberation.

Assistant District Attorney Adam Lally emphasized that it was too early to conclude deliberations and pointed out that the note did not definitively indicate an impasse. On the other hand, Defense attorney David Yannetti stressed that the jury had worked tirelessly over the past few days and had reached a point of impasse, indicating their conclusion.

Taking into account the complexity of the case, the number of witnesses (74) and exhibits (677), Judge Cannone decided that the deliberations should continue. She encouraged the jurors to clear their minds, have lunch, and resume their discussions.

The jury began deliberations on Tuesday following the presentation of closing arguments from both the defense and the prosecution. On Wednesday, the jury requested to see a Massachusetts State Police SERT team report related to the search of the location where the victim's body was found. Tensions also arose concerning the verdict slip provided to the jurors, causing a dispute between Defense attorney Alan Jackson and Judge Cannone.

Deliberations persisted throughout Thursday without interruption, but a verdict remained elusive. As of Friday afternoon, the jury had collectively deliberated for less than 20 hours. The trial centers on allegations that Karen Read, a 44-year-old from Mansfield, hit her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, with her car, leaving him to perish in the snow in Canton in January 2022. The defense maintains that Read is being framed.

Comprising of six women and six men, the jury is faced with determining Read's guilt or innocence on charges of second-degree murder, punishable by life imprisonment with the possibility of parole, as well as lesser charges of manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death, which carry penalties of five to 20 years and up to 10 years respectively.

The future of the trial now rests on the jury's ability to reach a unanimous decision, with the hopes that further deliberations will provide the necessary clarity in this high-profile case.