In a dramatic turn of events, the high-profile murder trial of Karen Read has ended in a mistrial. Read, a 44-year-old resident of Mansfield, stood accused of second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a personal injury and death in connection with the January 2022 death of Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, her boyfriend.

The trial garnered significant attention as prosecutors argued that Read had intentionally struck O'Keefe with her SUV while under the influence, while her defense team claimed that O'Keefe had been fatally beaten inside a home owned by another Boston officer. They alleged that Read was the victim of a law enforcement conspiracy.

Despite several days of deliberation, the jury ultimately announced that they were deadlocked and could not reach a unanimous verdict. In response, Judge Beverly J. Cannone declared a mistrial, stating that the jurors' perspectives on the evidence were "starkly divided."

However, Read's lawyers made a surprising move by filing a motion to dismiss the murder and leaving the scene charges. They argued that four jurors had informed them, either directly or through intermediaries, that the panel had unanimously agreed to acquit on those two charges. One juror reportedly stated that the margin for manslaughter was "4 no 8 yes."

The identity of the jurors in question has not been revealed, and the defense's accounts of the deliberations have not been independently confirmed. Judge Cannone has temporarily sealed the jury list, and it remains unclear whether she will grant the motion to dismiss the charges or hold a hearing to question the jurors about their deliberations.

Legal specialists weighed in on the case, highlighting the discretionary power of the judge in declaring a mistrial and the lack of obligation to inquire about partial verdicts from the jury. Some experts pointed out that holding a hearing to question individual jurors could present challenges and invade the province of the jury.

While a retrial of the case is expected, prosecutors have yet to file a written response to the defense's motion. The status conference is scheduled for July 22, where further decisions regarding the trial will be made.

The mistrial in the Karen Read murder case raises important questions about the guidelines surrounding hung juries, partial verdicts, and the role of the judge in determining the outcome. As the legal process unfolds, the saga continues to grip the attention of the public, awaiting further developments in this complex and highly-contested trial.