Criminal defense attorney Brad Bailey's decades of courtroom experience once again proved prescient in the high-profile Karen Read murder retrial.
Before the jury reached its decision, Attorney Bailey, who has tried countless complex cases over his 43-year career, shared his take on how the verdict might unfold in an article published by Boston.com on June 17, 2025. His prediction? A guilty verdict on the second-degree murder charge seemed unlikely. The most likely outcomes, Bailey said, were “not guilty” verdicts on some or all charges, a split decision, or another hung jury.
And he was right.
Following several days of deliberation, the case ended in a mistrial, just as Bailey foresaw. The jury was ultimately unable to reach a unanimous verdict, confirming Bailey’s view that second-degree murder would be the hardest charge for prosecutors to prove.
“Predicting juries is always a risky business,” Bailey told Boston.com at the time. But he made clear: based on his decades of experience, a murder conviction seemed like a long shot. And his instincts were spot-on.
You can read the full article and expert legal breakdown here:
Boston.com – How will Karen Read’s retrial end?
In addition to offering strategic insight into the complexities of the case, Bailey also weighed in on what a second mistrial could mean for the future of the prosecution. He noted that the likelihood of a third trial would depend heavily on the DA’s willingness to commit further resources, stating:
“The [Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office] would need a truly compelling reason to re-try for a third time in light of the significant costs and expenses incurred by the prosecution in connection with this second trial.”
Brad Bailey’s accuracy in analyzing and forecasting high-stakes cases like this one isn’t just impressive, it’s what sets him apart in the courtroom and in the media.
Watch Brad Bailey’s Full Prediction Here:
Karen Read Trial – Brad Bailey Expert Analysis