The same issue arose at Read’s first trial: multiple jurors, in the wake of Cannone declaring a mistrial, reported to Read’s defense that they agreed to acquit her on two of the three counts, but they didn’t know they could return a partial verdict. That led to a lengthy appeals fight that was appealed to but not taken up by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone denied a defense motion to amend verdict slips after Read’s lawyers argued forms were “unclear and otherwise confusing.”