Karen Read has firmly rejected any involvement in the death of her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, responding to a civil lawsuit filed by his family. In a legal document, Read addressed allegations of her culpability after a jury acquitted her of murder charges related to the fatal incident, in which O’Keefe was fatally struck by her SUV.
Following a mistrial in her first criminal case, Read was cleared during a second trial of the most severe charges, receiving a conviction only for operating a vehicle while under the influence, for which she was sentenced to probation. Despite the jury’s verdict, O’Keefe’s family is pursuing civil action against her, alleging she is responsible for his death and the emotional distress that followed.
Read’s recent filing comes after a judge denied a motion to dismiss the suit earlier this month. In her response, she vigorously denied all claims made by the O’Keefe family, countering accusations regarding the state of her relationship with O’Keefe, which prosecutors previously described as troubled due to factors like jealousy and anger. Read refutes these claims as untrue, insisting that her relationship with O’Keefe was not at risk.
Moreover, Read contested allegations that she was intoxicated during the incident, asserting that she was capable of operating her vehicle safely. She also denied claims that she acted deceitfully during a visit with O’Keefe’s family in the aftermath of his death, suggesting that her actions were mischaracterized.
In her defense, Read’s legal team has indicated that they will challenge the basis of the lawsuit, asserting that it fails to establish a valid legal claim and that any damages sought were the result of actions by third parties outside her control. The next court conference is scheduled for November 21, although no trial date has been set at this time.
This legal battle underscores the complexities of moving from criminal accusations to civil liability and the ongoing emotional toll on those involved.