The Karen Read case is heading to the screen. LBI Productions is developing a scripted adaptation—either a film or series—based on the high-profile trial that ended with her acquittal on murder and manslaughter charges, but a conviction on a lesser count of operating under the influence.
The project is being developed in direct partnership with Read and her lead defence attorney Alan Jackson. It promises a detailed reconstruction of the defence team’s strategy, including the day-by-day tactics used to dismantle the state’s case. Read will also contribute first-hand accounts of what she claims took place during the investigation and trial.
The production is being handled by LBI, the outfit behind Boardwalk Empire and Killers of the Flower Moon. Julie Yorn, head of LBI, says the goal is to dig into the structural forces surrounding the case—what was made public, what wasn’t, and how close the defence came to losing.
Film and TV rights are being repped by CAA. A companion book, co-authored by Read and Jackson, is also in the pipeline, with publishing rights held by Luke Janklow at Janklow & Nesbit.
Read was found not guilty of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene of a fatal crash involving Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The trial sparked intense world wide attention, largely due to the competing narratives around her role in O’Keefe’s death and the conduct of local law enforcement.
She was, however, found guilty on a charge of operating under the influence, a detail that is expected to be addressed in the adaptation.
No writer or platform has been announced. The project remains in early development.
