Editor’s Notice: That is an excerpt from WBUR’s every day morning publication, WBUR Right now. When you like what you learn and wish it in your inbox, join right here.
I believed the massive information out of Dedham yesterday was going to be the brand new grilled cheese chain. Apparently not. Let’s get to it:
Hung jury: A mistrial was declared yesterday within the Karen Learn homicide case, after jurors insisted they have been unable to achieve a unanimous verdict (regardless of a number of tries). Learn, a 44-year-old Mansfield resident, had been accused by prosecutors of drunkenly hitting and killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, along with her automobile in Canton. Nonetheless, her protection group forged doubt on that story, suggesting Learn was being framed by O’Keefe’s regulation enforcement colleagues. The case and conspiracy concept — mixed with inappropriate texts, Learn’s diehard supporters and small-town feuds — led to nationwide protection all through the two-month trial and gripped some so intently that even the courtroom ceiling fan grew to become a minor celeb. (When you’re one of many few who haven’t been following, right here’s a great way to catch up.)
- Now what? Prosecutors have a couple of choices following a hung jury mistrial. They might drop the fees, try and strike a plea deal or search a re-trial. Norfolk County District Lawyer Michael Morrissey’s workplace mentioned in a press release they’re planning to take that third route: “The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.”
- How does a retrial work? There can be a brand new jury, and legal professionals may current new proof. Prosecutors may additionally pursue completely different or lesser fees. (Within the first trial, Learn was charged with second-degree homicide, manslaughter whereas working a automobile below the affect and leaving the scene of an accident leading to dying.)
- Subsequent steps: Legal professionals are set to return to Decide Beverly Cannone’s courtroom in Dedham on July 22 for a standing convention assembly.
- In the meantime: The Massachusetts State Police introduced final night time that the lead investigator within the case, trooper Michael Proctor, has been transferred out of the detectives unit of the Norfolk DA’s workplace. Proctor confronted backlash over crude and sexist texts he despatched about Learn, compromising the investigation.
- Go deeper: Lawyer Shira Diner, president of the Massachusetts Affiliation of Felony Protection Legal professionals, joined WBUR’s Morning Version to discuss extra concerning the case and what may occur in a retrial.
Promoting excessive: The Boston Celtics are up on the market. Lower than two weeks after successful their 18th NBA championship, the group introduced yesterday that majority proprietor Wyc Grousbeck and his household need to promote their controlling stake someday in 2024 or early 2025.
- Why? The Celtics mentioned the choice is because of “property and household planning concerns.” Grousbeck can even get a reasonably good return on his funding! His group initially purchased the Celtics in 2002 for $360 million. As of final fall, Forbes estimated the group is price $4.7 billion, the fourth-highest within the NBA.
- What’s subsequent: Celtics’ minority house owners, like Steve Pagliuca, are anticipated to hold on to their stakes. Pagliuca even indicated final night time he plans to bid to take over as majority proprietor.
A brand new sports activities betting app will begin accepting wagers in Massachusetts at the moment. Gaming fee officers unanimously authorised Bally Wager’s request to function within the state yesterday. The Rhode Island-based firm plans to formally launch at 11 a.m. Meaning Massachusetts will now have seven completely different cell sports activities betting apps (two left the state earlier this yr).
PSA: Tomorrow could be the busiest day of Fourth of July vacation journey, however consultants inform WBUR’s Dan Guzman this afternoon is prone to get fairly congested, too. AAA forecasts it can get busy on the roads between 2 p.m. and seven p.m., as vacation vacationers combine with folks simply attempting to get residence from work.
- The massive image: AAA Northeast spokesperson Mark Schieldrop says you may thank the pandemic for giant adjustments round the best way folks take day off for holidays. “Of us are taking extra days off round a three-day weekend,” he instructed Dan. “They’re leaving in the course of the week, as an alternative of the day earlier than the vacation. They’re coming residence in the course of the week … and for a lot of of us, the Fourth of July vacation is now every week lengthy occasion.”
P.S.— Headed to the Cape this weekend? We’ve got simply the podcast that will help you kill time in visitors. WBUR’s Barb Moran teamed up with Scientific American for a three-part “Science, Shortly” sequence on the air pollution threatening Cape Cod’s water-based vacationer financial system. Take heed to the primary episode right here.