Karen Read filed a civil lawsuit Friday against the Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton seeking damages and accountability [1], [2].

The legal action follows one of the most publicized murder trials in recent state history. By targeting two law enforcement agencies, Read is attempting to shift the legal focus from her own acquittal to the conduct of the investigators who pursued her.

Read appeared on NBC’s Today show on June 5, 2026, to discuss the filing [2]. The lawsuit comes roughly one year after she was acquitted of the murder of Boston police officer John O'Keefe [1].

During her appearance, Read said she is suing to honor O'Keefe and to bring the truth and accountability to light [3]. She said her pursuit of justice is far from over, stating, "It's not done yet" [2].

The lawsuit targets the Canton Police Department and the Massachusetts State Police. Read's legal team has signaled that the civil process will be used to uncover details that may not have surfaced during the criminal trial. Her attorney said, "The truth is coming, and with it an unflinching reckoning" [4].

Read said to WHDH, "I am suing to honor John O'Keefe" [3]. The suit seeks to address the circumstances surrounding the investigation and the subsequent charges that led to her trial. The specific financial damages requested in the filing were not detailed in the initial reports [1], [2].

This civil action marks a transition from Read's role as a defendant to a plaintiff. It places the Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton in a position where they must defend their investigative procedures in a civil court [2], [4].

“"It's not done yet."”

This lawsuit represents a strategic shift in the legal aftermath of the O'Keefe case. While the criminal acquittal cleared Read of murder charges, it did not provide a legal determination regarding the conduct of the police. By filing a civil suit, Read can use discovery processes to compel the production of documents and testimony from law enforcement, potentially exposing systemic failures or misconduct within the Massachusetts State Police and Canton Police Department.