ABC just dropped an unexpected 20/20 special on the Karen Read trial after she was found not guilty of second-degree murder, and the new documentary is available to stream for free right now.
The case has overtaken the true crime world ever since January 2022 when, just three days after Read’s boyfriend – Boston police officer John O’Keefe – was killed, she was arrested for manslaughter.
The charge was later bumped up to second-degree murder, sparking a heated debate and a media frenzy to rival the Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial. Though some believe she’s responsible, #JusticeForKarenRead supporters argue that she was framed by the police.
The second trial began in April 2025 and concluded on June 18, when Read was found not guilty of second-degree murder and manslaughter. She was convicted of OUI, but will avoid prison and instead face one year of probation.
How to watch Karen Read 20/20 special
To learn more about the trial and its outcome, Karen Read: The Verdict | 20/20 is available to stream on Hulu now. There’s a simple way to watch this for free: by getting a free trial for Hulu.
New and eligible customers are able to sign up and watch Hulu’s content for free for several days, the length of which will depend on which plan you choose. If you don’t want to end up paying, just remember to turn off the auto-renew when signing up.
There is another way to stream for free: T-mobile customers with an Experience Beyond package are eligible for a free Hulu with ads subscription. To do this, you’ll need to login to your T-mobile account, and once verified, you’ll be redirected to create an account with Hulu.
What is the documentary about?
In Karen Read: The Verdict | 20/20, ABC anchor Matt Gutman delivers the latest details on the trial as well as interviews with O’Keefe’s friends, family members, and those at the center of the case.
Controversially, that includes interviews with Massachusetts state police trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator who was found to have sent “dehumanizing” text messages about Read to his high school friends.
Additional interviews include O’Keefe’s best friend, Brendan Kane, and Read’s defense attorney, Alan Jackson. “It’s the case that has continued to fixate the nation: Karen Read, the woman on trial for the second time,” says the synopsis.
The decision to speak with Proctor has caused division among viewers, with one writing, “For Proctor to say his text messages were his only failure and he wouldn’t do anything different in relation to the investigation is disgusting.
“His actions, or lack thereof, led to John O’Keefe and his family not receiving justice. If Karen Read caused John’s death, Proctor’s vile, biased behavior contributed to her not guilty verdicts.”
Another commented, “Shame on you for giving Proctor the space to keep lying and gaslighting everyone.” A third added, “The last person on earth who should be talking about the truth is… Proctor.”
Karen Read documentary in the works at Netflix
While the 20/20 special is a fast turnaround special, Netflix has a more in-depth documentary series in the works, which it announced on the day the trial reached a verdict.
There have been numerous documentaries on the true crime case, arguably the most in-depth being A Body in the Snow: The Trial of Karen Read, which landed on ID and Max in March.
However, as the biggest streaming service for true crime, it’s no surprise Netflix has greenlit its own series. “The case has inspired plenty of conversation, and the as-yet-untitled documentary series will explore what happened in the days leading up to O’Keefe’s death,” it says.
Co-directors Danielle Johnson and Rob Miller told the streamer, “The team feels immensely privileged to be bringing this important series to a Netflix global audience.
“It is a case that has garnered a huge amount of public attention and has far-reaching implications. We are also mindful that this is a hugely sensitive case and we are determined to treat all those involved with the respect and consideration they deserve.”
There is no release date at the time of writing. But that’s not the only title in development.
Turtleboy producing Karen Read movie
Aidan Kearney, aka Turtleboy – who played a major part in the #JusticeForKarenRead movement – has signed an agreement to the production of a Hollywood movie about his coverage of the Karen Read case, as well as a podcast and book.
The YouTuber broke key details about the case online. Although social media has played an increasingly significant role in true crime, this instance is particularly surprising in terms of the speed at which it spread, and how it came from this one unconnected source.
Turtleboy played a key role in the case by publishing investigative reports, sharing court documents, and scrutinizing the prosecution’s evidence, while speaking directly with Read.
Soon enough, hundreds of people started showing up outside the courthouse to share their support for Read, dressed in pink after she announced it as her favorite color. This led to opposing crowds appearing to support the theory that Read is responsible.
Turtleboy hasn’t been without controversy, with prosecutors accusing him of intimidating witnesses.
Taking to X/Twitter upon the start of the second trial, he wrote, “As Karen Read’s retrial is set to begin you will hear my name thrown around a lot, and the first thing the media will mention is the fact that I’ve been charged with ‘witness intimidation.’
“These charges are a joke, and have no chance whatsoever of ending in conviction. The goal was to scare me, smear my reputation, and suggest that Karen Read did something wrong by speaking with a journalist.”
Although details about the development of his movie have been sparse, he was able to confirm on June 18, “I can finally make this announcement. Movie is coming.” We can expect more details in the weeks to come.
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