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The Karen Read Re-Trial: Day Number 3 Of Jury Selection And Karen Read Appeals To The Supreme Court (4/4/25)
On the third day of jury selection in Karen Read's murder retrial, four new jurors were seated, bringing the total to ten—five men and five women. This progress came despite challenges, as 37 out of 40 prospective jurors had prior knowledge of the case, and 21 had already formed opinions. Judge Beverly Cannone permitted attorneys to access the daily list of potential jurors in advance, allowing for pre-screening, with strict instructions against contacting them. Additionally, the judge expanded the courthouse buffer zone to prevent outside influence, responding to reports of demonstrators during the first trial's deliberations.
Karen Read has petitioned the United States Supreme Court to dismiss two of the three charges against her—second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident resulting in death—on the grounds of double jeopardy. Her legal team contends that, during her initial trial, jurors unanimously agreed to acquit her on these two charges, but this decision was not announced before the trial ended in a mistrial due to a deadlock on the manslaughter charge. Lower courts, including the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court and federal appeals courts, have denied her motions to dismiss these charges, leading her to seek relief from the nation's highest court. In her appeal, Read poses two primary questions:
- Whether a final and unanimous, but unannounced, jury decision that the prosecution failed to prove a defendant guilty constitutes an acquittal, thereby precluding retrial under the Double Jeopardy Clause
- Whether a defendant who provides credible evidence of such a unanimous, unannounced acquittal is entitled to a post-trial hearing to substantiate this claim.
Legal analysts suggest that the Supreme Court is unlikely to hear the case, given its selective docket and the absence of a formal acquittal on record. If the Court declines to review, the retrial on all charges will proceed as scheduled.
to contact me:
bobbycapucci@protonmail.com
source:
10 jurors selected as empanelment continues in Karen Read retrial
Karen Read appeals 2 of her charges up to the U.S. Supreme Court - CBS Boston
Published on 1 month, 1 week ago