The murder trial of Karen Read, a Mansfield woman charged with killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, ended in a mistrial on Monday after five days of deliberations. However, Norfolk County prosecutors have announced their intention to retry Read in the future.

According to David Traub, spokesman for the Norfolk District Attorney's office, Judge Beverly Cannone could schedule a new trial date as early as the status conference on Monday, July 22. If a retrial is ordered, it must commence within a year of that date, in accordance with Rule 36D of the Rules of Criminal Procedure in Massachusetts. Traub clarified that a new trial would allow for the introduction of new or different evidence, and there would be no blanket exclusion of such evidence.

Former Suffolk district attorney, Dan Conley, who is now a partner at Mintz, expressed that it would not be unreasonable for the Norfolk District Attorney's office to retry Read. He believes that one crucial factor in this decision would be the breakdown of the jury's split, and he anticipates that jurors may publicly discuss their reasoning for finding Read guilty or innocent.

While the identities of the jurors remained unknown as of Monday evening, a clerk at the Dedham courthouse confirmed that the list of jurors would not be released due to the mistrial.

Conley suggested that there was a possibility for prosecutors to modify the charges against Read, who was initially charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a vehicle under the influence, and leaving the scene of an accident causing injury or death. He mentioned that the coming months would likely see developments in this regard.

Maureen Boyle, a professor at Stonehill College and a veteran crime reporter, opined that she believed Read was overcharged. She stated that the facts did not substantiate the second-degree murder charge brought against Read.

As the status conference approaches, it would be up to the district attorney's office to determine whether they still possess a good faith belief that the evidence can convince a jury of Read's guilt for the death of Officer O'Keefe.

Daniel Medwed, a law professor at Northeastern University, shared that mistrials were relatively rare. He added that it was natural for the prosecution to express their intention to retry the defendant if they felt that justice had not been served. However, Medwed emphasized that prosecutors would need to consider whether it was a wise use of their resources and whether they believed the outcome would be different next time.

Additionally, Medwed mentioned that prosecutors could continue investigating the case and potentially uncover new evidence. He also suggested an exhaustive review of the evidence presented during the original trial.

The timing of Read's new trial would depend on various factors, such as Judge Beverly Cannone's inclination for a speedy retrial and whether Read's defense attorneys request an extension of time.

Judge Cannone declared the mistrial after receiving a note from the jurors stating that they were at an impasse. It was the third time this occurred, with the judge previously sending them back for further deliberations. On the second occasion, she resorted to reading Tuey-Rodriguez instruction, which is often used as a last resort when jurors are deadlocked.

The jurors' final note on Monday indicated that some believed the prosecutors had proven Read's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, while others disagreed. Consequently, Judge Cannone dismissed the jurors from their service, concluding a trial that lasted 29 days of testimony and five days of deliberations.

Karen Read, 44, was charged with second-degree murder regarding the death of Officer John O'Keefe, who was found unresponsive and cold to the touch outside a home in Canton on January 29, 2022. Read pleaded not guilty to all charges, including motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of a motor vehicle crash causing death.

As the case moves forward, it remains to be seen how the district attorney's office will proceed and if any changes will be made to the charges against Read.