• Jessica M. Leslie, a grand juror in the high-profile Karen Read case, is set to plead guilty to criminal contempt for leaking sealed witness information. The charge adds a dramatic new twist to a legal saga that has already riveted the public, rocked Massachusetts law enforcement, and become a national true-crime media fixation.

BOSTON, MA (TDR) — Just weeks after Karen Read’s stunning acquittal in the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, federal prosecutors dropped a bombshell in the case’s legal orbit: A grand juror involved in the early stages of the investigation has been charged with criminal contempt for leaking sealed witness information.

Jessica M. Leslie, 34, has agreed to plead guilty to one count of criminal contempt after allegedly disclosing sensitive grand jury details — including names of witnesses and the substance of their testimony — to individuals unauthorized to receive them. The information was under federal seal at the time, according to the Department of Justice.

Legal Fallout in a Case Already Marked by Turmoil

While Leslie’s charging documents do not name Karen Read directly, ABC News confirmed the contempt case is connected to the widely followed prosecution. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts said the leaks occurred between August 2022 and March 2024 — a critical window when Read’s defense team was challenging evidence and framing the case as a “law enforcement cover-up.”

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10

“The integrity of the grand jury process is foundational to our justice system,” a DOJ spokesperson said in the release. “Leaking sealed information to outside parties undermines that process and the rule of law.”

Leslie will be sentenced to one day in federal prison (deemed already served) and 24 months of supervised release, per a plea agreement obtained by PEOPLE.

Karen Read Verdict Sends Shockwaves

Karen Read, 45, was acquitted on June 18, 2025, of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and other serious charges stemming from the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The couple had reportedly been out drinking the night of the incident. Prosecutors alleged Read ran him over in a fit of drunken rage. Her defense argued she was framed by corrupt police colleagues.

After a mistrial in 2024, Read’s retrial began in April 2025 and concluded with her exoneration on all but one charge — operating under the influence.

“No one has fought harder for justice for John O’Keefe than I have,” Read told supporters outside the courthouse. “I would not be standing here without these amazing supporters who have supported me and my team financially and more importantly, emotionally.”

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE THE DUPREE REPORT

The verdict was seen by supporters as vindication — and by critics as another example of a criminal justice system deeply divided over internal accountability.

True-Crime Appeal and Media Frenzy

The Karen Read case has captured national attention, spawning hours of cable commentary, YouTube conspiracy dives, and social media debates under hashtags like #JusticeForJohn and #FreeKarenRead. The revelation that a grand juror allegedly leaked sealed information is likely to ignite further media scrutiny and raise questions about the sanctity of the process.

Leslie’s initial court appearance in Boston is pending, and her formal plea date has not been scheduled.

Does this grand jury leak raise new concerns about fairness in high-profile criminal trials? Share your thoughts below.

Follow The Dupree Report on YouTube

Freedom-Loving Beachwear by Red Beach Nation - Save 10% With Code RVM10