In a significant development in the Karen Read retrial, a note from the jury yesterday led the presiding judge to issue a slightly amended verdict slip. The jury's question raised a crucial point: “Does guilty on a sub-charge mean guilty on the overall charge?” This inquiry pertains to Read's second indictment for manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, which presents subordinate options or “lesser included” offenses for the jury’s consideration. These lesser charges include involuntary manslaughter, motor vehicle homicide, and operating under the influence of liquor.
Karen Read is facing serious allegations, accused of using her vehicle to strike and kill Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, who was also her boyfriend, on January 29, 2022. The gravity of the charges against her underscores the importance of clarity in the jury's decision-making process.
The original verdict slip provided by the court listed each potential charge in a numbered format. However, the defense team argued that this format was confusing for jurors. Despite these concerns, Judge Beverly J. Cannone maintained that the initial verdict slip complied with state law. The situation evolved when the jury's note prompted her to reconsider.
The newly revised verdict slip for the manslaughter charge is more comprehensive, featuring inline directions for jurors at each stage of their deliberation. The jurors are instructed to review the charges sequentially, starting from the full OUI manslaughter charge and moving down to the lesser offenses in order of severity. This structured approach is designed to assist jurors in making informed decisions.
Each section of the revised verdict slip includes specific prompts aimed at guiding the jury through their deliberations. For instance, jurors are told: “If you find the defendant not guilty of the offense charged or any lesser included offense, stop and sign the verdict slip.” Furthermore, they are instructed, “If you find the defendant guilty of the lesser included offense of involuntary manslaughter, stop and sign the verdict slip. If you find her not guilty of involuntary manslaughter, then continue to the next page.”
The jury's deliberations continue today, as they strive to reach a verdict in this high-profile case. The adjustments made to the verdict slip reflect the court's commitment to ensuring that the jury fully understands the implications of their decisions regarding the charges against Karen Read.
