Lifetime’s Accused: The Karen Read Story: The True Story Behind the Case

Accused: The Karen Read Story is an upcoming Lifetime original movie that dramatizes one of the most polarizing true crime cases in recent years. The film offers a glimpse into the tragic death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe in 2022 and the subsequent accusations against his girlfriend, Karen Read. It explores the chaotic night of heavy drinking, a blizzard, and a fatal incident outside a fellow officer’s home in Canton, Massachusetts.

Viewers follow the unfolding mystery as evidence points to Read allegedly striking O’Keefe with her SUV and leaving him in the snow, while her defense claims a frame-up involving police corruption and a cover-up. Starring Katie Cassidy as Read, the movie highlights the pursuit of justice amid public outcry and legal battles that divided opinions nationwide. The production aims to capture the tension of the investigations, trials, and the quest for truth in a case filled with twists.

The movie premieres on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on the Lifetime channel. It will be available to stream the next day on mylifetime.com or through services like Hulu + Live TV for subscribers.

Accused: The Karen Read Story: The Night of the Incident

In the evening of January 28, 2022, Karen Read and John O’Keefe, who was in a relationship with Read and a police officer in the Boston police force, spent the evening in local bars in Canton, Massachusetts. It was after midnight of January 29 that Read dropped off O’Keefe at the house of fellow officer Brian Albert in a party that was in full swing. According to reports of the incident, he never entered the residence.

It was around 6:00 a.m. that Read and other people arrived back in the company of Jennifer McCabe and found the body of the victim in the snow near the flagpole with signs of injuries from blunt force trauma to the head and arms in an area where the cold weather had contributed to hypothermia.

Prosecutors would later say that a drunken Read argued with O’Keefe and backed her SUV into him, inflicting the fatal injuries and breaking her vehicle’s taillight. The defense for Read contended that O’Keefe might have gone into the house, where he could have been assaulted before being left outside.

Among key points: Read’s panicky statements when she found him, including asking whether she could have hit him, and a disputed Google search on McCabe’s phone about how someone dies in cold. No one directly witnessed the incident, and there was no security footage from the home to clear up exactly what had happened that night.

The investigation and arrest

An investigation began following the recovery of the body of John O’Keefe. The investigators were led by the Massachusetts State Police, with Trooper Michael Proctor playing a prominent role. The available evidence was the taillight area of Read’s SUV found near the body of O’Keefe, partially inside O’Keefe’s clothing, a hair from O’Keefe found on the SUV’s bumper, and O’Keefe’s cellphone records that made limited activity possible after leaving the vehicle.

The cellphone battery cooling off indicated that the cellphone was in the open, where it was exposed to the low temperatures. The SUV displayed damage from a crash, while Read’s blood alcohol content was above the legal limit. The defense pointed out problems with the investigation, such as Proctor’s derogatory messages about Read that resulted in his firing and allegations of mishandling evidence, such as a reversed crime scene photo.

Other aspects include possible canine bites to O’Keefe’s arm wounds from a German Shepherd in the Albert house. Witnesses like McCabe gave testimonies about that night, but inconsistencies arose about quotes from Read. Read was arrested in February 2022 and charged with evidence developed from this investigation, with the prosecution focusing on vehicular damage and a possible cover-up by people associated with law enforcement to shield those inside.

The trials of Karen are shown in Accused: The Karen Read Story

Karen Read started her first trial in April 2024 at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, that lasted for two months before it led to a mistrial in July 2024 due to a hung jury. Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, and leaving the scene of a crash involving death. The prosecution gave tangible evidence, such as pieces from taillight components and cell information, in addition to testimonies about Karen Read’s level of intoxication and utterances.

The defense counsel questioned witnesses to reveal contradictions and pointed to a setup, with expert opinion on injuries and data authenticity. The retrial began in spring 2025 on similar charges and an additional charge for drunk driving. Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan represented the prosecution based on Read’s media interviews and forensic analysis. The defense strategy excluded some witnesses and aimed at raising a reasonable doubt regarding the possible cause and the timeline of evidence.

The most important witnesses included forensic expert Ian Whiffin on the analysis of cell phone data and Jennifer McCabe on what happened at the crime scene. Read chose not to give testimony in either trial. The trials generated large crowds of his supporters outside the courtroom due to discontent with the handling and corruption accusations against the local authorities.

The verdict and aftermath

On June 18, 2025, after hearing the case since the 13th, the jury acquitted Karen Read of the charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death. Although she was found not guilty of the serious charges against her, she was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor. In a case where a verdict was rumored to be forthcoming, Read was given a one-year probated sentence, as she was a first-time offender. Read showed relief at being acquitted, while O’Keefe’s family found it to be a miscarriage of justice.

After the case, Read filed a suit in November 2025 for being framed. There was a charge brought against a juror from the case involving leaked information in July 2025. This only stirred up further controversy over police actions, and Read went on to front a district attorney candidate who criticized the case. There were still memorials being held for O’Keefe from the affected families, and naturally, it figured prominently in media circles regarding case trials for justice.

Watch Accused: The Karen Read Story, releasing on January 10, 2026, on Lifetime and Hulu.

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Hilfa Khan

Hilfa, Senior Writer at Hilvaro, excels in pop culture journalism. She crafts engaging content on movies, TV, & trends, fueled by her love for storytelling & entertainment.