Last Week in True Crime: Karen Read Acquitted, Kohberger Trial Heats Up, and a Manhunt Turns Deadly: This Week in True Crime

Hello folks. MJ Here. Well, another week, another stack of case files that don’t add up. The headlines are loud, but the real stories are quieter, found in the courtroom whispers, the family statements, and the evidence that never quite fits. Karen Read walks free after a retrial that left more questions than answers, while the family of John O’Keefe is left holding their grief and outrage. Out west, the Kohberger case inches closer to trial, with lawyers fighting over leaks and the death penalty hanging in the balance. Meanwhile, a manhunt in Washington has the whole state on edge after three young girls are found dead, and their father vanishes into the woods. These aren’t just stories — they’re reminders that justice is never as simple as a verdict, and the truth rarely fits in a headline.

Karen Read Acquitted; Legal Fallout Continues

• Verdict: Karen Read, who was accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, has been acquitted of homicide charges following a high-profile retrial. She received probation for a drunk driving charge related to the incident.
• Family Reaction: O’Keefe’s family expressed outrage at the outcome, while legal experts remain divided on the evidence and the potential for further investigation21.
• Expert Testimony: Crash reconstruction experts and plow drivers testified that evidence was inconsistent with the prosecution’s theory that Read struck O’Keefe with her car. The defense argued that O’Keefe’s injuries resulted from a fall and a separate impact.
• Mistrial Request: The defense requested a mistrial after a special prosecutor admitted to an evidence mistake, but the request was not granted.

Bryan Kohberger Case: Trial Developments

• Trial Schedule: The trial for Bryan Kohberger, accused of murdering four University of Idaho students, has been rescheduled. Jury selection is set to begin on August 4, with opening statements scheduled for August 18.
• Media Leak Concerns: Defense attorney Anne Taylor raised concerns about media leaks potentially jeopardizing a fair trial and the possibility of the death penalty being taken off the table due to these leaks.
• Witnesses: Pennsylvania witnesses, including a former professor and a boxing gym owner, are expected to testify. Additional witnesses include a jail guard and another man.

Manhunt for Travis Decker

• Case Details: Travis Decker, a Washington outdoorsman, is the subject of an intense manhunt after his three daughters were found dead, with signs of suffocation, bound wrists, and plastic bags over their heads. Authorities describe Decker as “dangerous” and possibly armed.
• Law Enforcement Response: Search teams have deployed K9 units and helicopters in the ongoing search.

Other Notable Cases and Developments

• Barry Morphew: Barry Morphew, charged with the first-degree murder of his wife, Suzanne, maintains his innocence. His lawyer reiterated this stance as the case continues.
• Rex Heuermann Docuseries: Rex Heuermann’s ex-wife and daughter recently spoke out in a true crime docuseries about the Gilgo Beach Killings.
• Madeleine McCann: Authorities in Portugal launched a new search for Madeleine McCann, reportedly based on an inside tip and advanced technology.
• Influencer Murder: A social media influencer was found dead after posting a plea for help online.
• The 30th anniversary of Jodi Huisentruit’s: Local newscaster’s disappearance brought renewed attention to this infamous cold case.

Additional Headlines

• Largest Jewel Heist in U.S. History: The investigation into the largest jewel heist in U.S. history has come to an end.
• Missing Detective: A retired detective was found dead in Connecticut after being missing for months, under hoarding conditions.
• Morgue Love Affair Ends in Murder: A deputy coroner’s affair with a body transporter allegedly ended with the shooting death of the transporter’s children’s father.

True Crime Read of The Week: The Big Book of Serial Killers Volume 2: Another 150 Serial Killer Files of the World’s Worst Murderers by Jack Rosewood and Rebecca Lo.

This isn’t your typical narrative true crime book; Volume 2 also serves as an encyclopedia. It dives into the lives of 150 more serial killers, laying out the uncensored details of their crimes, their motives, and how their stories ultimately ended — or if they even did. The book is structured as an A-Z list, making it easy to look up specific murderers. It also includes essential facts, such as their birth details, arrest dates, and victim counts, along with trivia about their personalities and any films or documentaries made about them.

It’s a deep dive into the darkest corners of human nature, designed to provide readers with a comprehensive look at some of the most notorious individuals in history. If you’re looking for a reference guide to the world’s worst murderers, this one aims to be just that.

Bottom line: The Big Book of Serial Killers Volume 2 is for the reader who wants the facts, not the frills. It’s a reminder that monsters don’t always look like monsters, and sometimes the scariest stories are the true ones.

You can find The Big Book of Serial Killers Volume 2 on the MJonCrime Book List and support independent bookstores while you’re at it.

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