Expert: Karen Read’s media appearances may be smart legal strategy

Had been Karen’s unorthodox interviews a strategic step of her protection on the subsequent degree?

Maybe, based on a authorized knowledgeable from Massachusetts who follows the case.

Learn, 45, is accused of killing boyfriend John O

After her first trial, which ended with a jammed jury final yr, she sat down with a number of reporters to inform her facet of the story, a motion that many authorized consultants have unwise. However it will possibly have a payout as a result of jury members look aimed toward a lesser indictment that she could have allowed on video.

Karen learn jury questions counsel the identical authorized dilemma as final yr’s mistrial

Karen Las Drawing to supporters whereas he left the Norfolk Superior Courtroom for lunch Tuesday 17 June 2025 in Dedham, Mass. (Richard Beetham for Fox Information Digital)

“She was ‘testified’ when she made these statements, figuring out that they may very well be utilized in courtroom,” mentioned Grace Edwards, a felony lawyer. “How loopy it appears, this will likely have been a method to present the jury one thing to hold their hat and discover her responsible of the OUI and to get this completed.”

She referred to the accusation of working below the affect, a topic of jury members requested a number of questions on Tuesday in the course of the third day of deliberations after greater than 30 days witnessing the trial.

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View: Prosecutor in Karen Learn Trial makes use of Learn’s personal phrases to dismantle the speculation of the protection

“That’s an fascinating concept – fall on the sword for the Oui to save lots of her the extra critical violations,” mentioned Randolph Rice, the authorized analyst of Maryland and lawyer who represents the household of the killed mom of 5 Rachel Morin. “That may be a dangerous recreation for the protection.”

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But he mentioned, the frequent pondering is that the defendants ought to keep away from speaking to the media.

“I am certain the Karen studying camp is now feeling nicely,” he added. “Cautious optimism.”

The highest prices in opposition to learn, second -degree homicide, might get her a jail sentence if she has been convicted. Small accusations embody drunk driving, manslaughter and leaving a deadly accident.

View: Karen Learn Learn Recounts Night time of Ingesting in Native Bar in 2024 Tv Interview

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The levying of manslaughter additionally comprises further decrease prices that jury members might discover her responsible, together with the operation of a motorized vehicle drunk, which carries a a lot lighter punishment and doesn’t embody the levying of the homicide.

Learn didn’t take the place in her personal protection, however spoke with reporters outdoors the courtroom virtually every single day. After her mistrial final yr, she sat for numerous information and documentary interviews and even invited {a magazine} author to remain in her home for a weekend.

Homicide reporter Karen Learn speaks with reporters after leaving the courthouse in Dedham, Massachusetts, June 6, 2025. (Richard Beetham for Fox Information Digital)

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Particular public prosecutor Hank Brennan has the unprocessed supply materials of reporters summons and performed a handful of clips in courtroom for the jury.

In a single, who appeared to have been associated to what jury members had questions, examine her personal drinks within the hours earlier than the demise of O’Keefe as a result of she did not suppose the bartender made them sturdy sufficient.

“The drinks they provide me at McCarthy’s, the place I consumed many of the alcohol, was the weakest vodka -Tonic,” she mentioned. “It tasted similar to all of the delicate drink water with lime, not that I must be a Martini, nevertheless it may need a touch of vodka.”

Officer John O’Keefe (Boston Police Division)

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Jury members requested the choose 4 questions on Tuesday, a lot of them focused on the OUI decisive.

1. “What’s the time-frame for the Oui -Lading? 12:45 or 5 hours?”
2. “Are video clips from Karen’s interviews proof?”
3. “Condemning condemnation responsible of a subcadder, for instance infringement 2 No. 5, the general indictment?”
4. “If we don’t discover responsible on two expenses, however can’t agree on one indictment, is it a hung jury on all three expenses or just one indictment?”

Jury members did not make a judgment in opposition to the top of the day on Tuesday. Deliberations resume on Wednesday morning at 9 am et.

“I nonetheless suppose it is good for her now,” Rice instructed Fox Information Digital. “Learn between the traces, I believe they can not discover the intention that’s wanted for 2 counts and attempt to discover out the reckless element.”

Learn faces to life in jail when they’re convicted of essentially the most critical indictment for second -degree. A number of the OUI-related prices even have multi-year fines, Edwards mentioned.