Jury Member Shares Insights on the Karen Read Trial

The Karen Read trial has been a topic of intense discussion, and one juror, Paula Prado, has shared her thoughts on the case. Prado, a 39-year-old mother of four from Walpole, was one of the 12 jurors who decided the outcome of the trial. She has been open about her emotions and the challenges she faced during the deliberation process. Prado admitted that the verdict was tough, especially considering the loss of life involved. She cried for John O’Keefe’s mother, showing empathy for the family’s pain. Prado’s background as a former lawyer and true crime enthusiast gave her a unique perspective on the case. She had only followed national news in her native Portuguese before this trial. The case gained her attention through billboards and media coverage, which led her to follow the trial closely. Prado’s experience on the jury was intense. She felt pressure and even claustrophobia during the deliberations. The jury used large pieces of paper to visualize the evidence and charges, making the process more tangible. They avoided voting initially, instead focusing on reviewing testimony, videos, and witness accounts. The discussions were heavy and overwhelming at times, but the group remained respectful and thorough. Prado appreciated the intelligence and respect shown by her fellow jurors. They took their time to answer questions and ensure everyone was comfortable with the decision. The final crash reconstruction expert and a forensic pathologist’s testimony were crucial in shaping the jury’s verdict. Prado believed the prosecution’s argument about the injuries was flawed and that the car did not kill O’Keefe. She thought there was a 50-50 chance that Read hit O’Keefe with her car, but she believed he did not die outside. Prado’s guess is that Read might have touched him with her car, causing him to lose his shoes, and then he walked inside the house where something else happened. Prado was surprised that key witnesses, like Michael Proctor, the lead investigator, did not testify. She found it strange that Brian Albert, the owner of the house, and Brian Higgins, an ATF agent, were not called to testify. She also had questions about the family dog and the movements of other individuals involved. Prado wanted the O’Keefe family to know that the jury cared about their loss and did not take O’Keefe’s death lightly. She felt frustrated that the jury could not provide justice for the O’Keefe family, as they believed Read was not responsible for O’Keefe’s death. Prado hopes the case will be reopened and that further investigations will be conducted to find the truth. She believes that society deserves answers and that the case should not be left unresolved.