Lyles pushed hard by Bednarek but wins 200 to keep hope of Olympic sprint double alive for Paris

EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — In the wee hours the night before his 200-meter final, Noah Lyles sent a shout-out on social media to the sprinters in Jamaica, egging them on to help make the upcoming Paris Olympics great.

Then, the final rolled around, and all Lyles had to do was look two lanes to his right to see he had his hands full Saturday night right here in the U.S.

Lyles had to bust it through the finish line to overtake, then beat, Kenny Bednarek at U.S. track trials, finishing in 19.53 seconds, the best time of the year, but a scant .06 clear of second place.

“I knew he was definitely working on something,” Lyles said. “So I came off the turn and said ‘OK, I’m fine. I've been here many times before. We're going to get to the last 80. He's going to fall, and I'm going to get faster.'"

It was more like the last 20 before there was any inkling that this race was wrapped up.

Still, the messages were the same: Lyles, who has only lost once at this distance at a major meet, knows how to win at his best distance, where he's a three-time world champion, from ahead and from behind; and Bednarek, who also finished second to Lyles in the 100, is going to make him earn it.

“I'm on his case right there,” Bednarek said. “And I showed the world I've got a lot more in me and I've got more in the tank.”

Lyles' 19.53 broke an Olympic trials record of 19.66 held by Michael Johnson since 1996. Erriyon Knighton finished third in 19.77, giving the U.S. three of this year's eight sub-19.8 runs in a single race.

“It's going to be great regardless but USA is USA,” Lyles said when asked about the Jamaican shout-out. “We don't take anything lightly. We don't give anything. You've got to take it from us.”

Lyles' shout-out to Jamaica came a day after a relative unknown, Kishane Thompson, ran a world-leading 9.77 to win the 100-meter nationals. Thompson did not run in Saturday's 200 prelims in Kingston.

The U.S. has a long history of baton mishaps in the 4x100 relay, though a team headlined by Lyles won easily last year at worlds.

Lyles' victory came about 90 minutes after this meet's other big name, Sha'Carri Richardson, slowed down in the homestretch of the women's 200 and finished fourth, depriving her a chance to race in both sprints. Gabby Thomas won that title.

Then, as if to underscore the point that there are no sure things in track, Lyles took to the track and found the guy they call “Kung Fu Kenny” — in reference to the Asian-themed bandanas Bednarek wears — more than hanging in there once they hit the curve.

Instead of trying for an American or world record, as he suggested the night before that he might, Lyles simply had to hold off Bednarek, who said he tightened up over the last few steps and couldn't push hard to the finish.

All the late-race drama felt like filler to Lyles' coach, Lance Brauman, who only had one goal for his sprinter over these two weekends in Eugene, which was to get him qualified for both sprints by finishing in the top three.

“As soon as I saw those two had cleared the rest of the field, I was like ‘Whatever happens here happens here,’” he said. “It's a qualifying meet. Sure. winning here keeps his streak of winning going, but at the same time, it's not the end-all, be-all. You've got to be on the team.”

America’s top long jumper certainly knows how to put on a show. Down to her last try after two scratches, Tara Davis-Woodhall finally took off from behind the board and jumped 6.64 meters (21 feet, 9 1/2 inches) to avoid being eliminated.

Awarded three more tries, she jumped 7 meters (22-11 3/4) on the second of those to vault from fifth to first place.

Davis-Woodhall remains undefeated this season, but this one was a nail-biter.

“It was honestly one of the scariest moments of my career,” said the 25-year-old world indoor champ, who paraded around Hayward Field in her trademark cowboy hat after the win. “But I did not let that get to my head. I had to stay focused and present. And I allowed myself to embrace it, and whatever happens, happens after that.”

Yet another sign of Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone’s dominance in the 400 hurdles came in the semifinal round.

Her time in the race where she was only trying to stay upright and advance, 52.48 seconds, was the best time in 2024 in the event.

McLaughlin-Levrone holds the world record at 50.68 seconds. On Sunday, she’ll race for a spot in the Olympics and a chance to defend her title.

Weini Kelati won the 10,000 meters in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday night, 10 years after seeking asylum in the United States. Kelati traveled to Oregon as a teenager for the world junior championships and, without telling her friends or family, missed her flight back home to Eritrea to begin a new life.

Taken in by a relative, Kelati went to high school in Virginia and competed at the University of New Mexico, where she became a multi-time All-American.

Now, the 27-year-old has earned a trip to the Paris Olympics. Kelati held off Parker Valby of the University of Florida by less than a half second. Karissa Schweizer, who made the team for the Tokyo Games in 2021, was third.

“I get pretty emotional every time I come here,” Kelati said. “It means a lot. I’ve been telling them one day I’m going to go to the Olympics.”

Already a two-time world champion, Chase Jackson now has a new title: Olympian.

Jackson threw a season-best 20.10 meters to overtake Raven Saunders, the mask-wearing Olympic silver medalist, in the shot put final. Also making the team was Jaida Ross, who received quite a round of applause. She’s from the University of Oregon.

Pat Graham contributed to this report.

AP Summer Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/2024-paris-olympic-games

Tara Davis-Woodhall cheers for Noah Lyles the men's 200-meter final winner during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Tara Davis-Woodhall celebrates after winning the women's long jump final with Raven Saunders during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore.(AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Chase Jackson competes in the women's shot put final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final with Kenny Bednarek and Erriyon Knighton during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Noah Lyles celebrates after winning the men's 200-meter final during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Saturday, June 29, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Noah Lyles wins a heat men's 200-meter semi-finals during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

Noah Lyles wins a heat men's 200-meter semi-finals during the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Team Trials Friday, June 28, 2024, in Eugene, Ore. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

DEDHAM, Mass. (AP) — A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Karen Read, a woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm.

Prosecutors said in a statement that they intend to retry the case, which drew outsize attention thanks to true crime fanatics, conspiracy theorists and Read’s pink-shirted supporters.

Read, a former adjunct professor at Bentley College, faced second-degree murder and other charges in the death of Officer John O’Keefe, a 16-year member of the Boston police who was found outside a Canton home of another Boston police officer in January 2022. An autopsy found O’Keefe died of hypothermia and blunt force trauma.

Prosecutors said Read and O’Keefe had been drinking heavily before she dropped him off at a party at the home of Brian Albert, a fellow officer. They said she hit him with her SUV before driving away.

The defense sought to portray Read as the victim, saying O’Keefe was actually had been killed inside Albert’s home and then dragged outside and left for dead. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a “convenient outsider” who saved them from having to consider other suspects, including Albert and other law enforcement officers at the party.

On Friday, a jury foreperson told the judge that they hadn’t reached a unanimous verdict despite an “exhaustive review of the evidence.” The judge told jurors to keep trying. On Monday morning, jurors said they were at an impasse, but the judge asked them to continue deliberating. In the afternoon, they said it would be futile to continue.

“The deep division is not due to a lack of effort or diligence but rather a sincere adherence to our individual principles or moral convictions," the jury said in a note read by the judge in court.

O’Keefe’s mother cried after the mistrial was declared, while Read hugged her father and other relatives.

The Norfolk County district attorney's office said in a statement: “First, we thank the O’Keefe family for their commitment and dedication to this long process. They maintained sight of the true core of this case — to find justice for John O’Keefe. The Commonwealth intends to re-try the case.”

Defense attorney Alan Jackson said he and others representing Read will keep fighting.

“They failed. They failed miserably, and they’ll continue to fail," he told reporters outside court. “No matter how long it takes, no matter how long they keep trying, we will not stop fighting.”

Testimony during the two-month trial focused on shoddy police work and relationships between the parties. Police acknowledged using red plastic cups to collect blood evidence and a leaf blower to try to clear away snow to reveal evidence. The lead investigator acknowledged making crude statements about Read in texts from his personal cellphone.

Experts disagreed on whether O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with being hit by Read’s luxury SUV, which had a broken taillight. The defense contended the injuries were caused by an altercation and the Albert family’s aggressive dog.

While the drama played out in a courtroom, dozens of Read’s supporters dressed in pink gathered each day outside, carrying “Free Karen Read” signs and mobbing her when she arrived each day. Motorists honked their horns in support. A smaller group of people who wanted Read convicted also turned up.

Another lawyer representing Read, David Yannetti, said he was in awe of his client’s “strength and courage” and praised those who have backed her before and during the trial.

“Your support was invaluable," he said. “We are touched and we ask for your continued support.”

Rita Lombardi, one of those supporters, said she had mixed feelings about the outcome.

“It’s not the verdict we were hoping for, we were hoping for a not guilty verdict. That is what this jury should have returned with the evidence that was presented,” she said. “But we accept the hung jury, we accept the mistrial.”

Aidan Timothy Kearney also said he’d hoped for full vindication.

“But in my mind, the fact that so many people in that jury clearly are aware, the majority clearly is with Karen Reed,” he said outside the courthouse. “It’s a small minority that is just stubborn and won’t look at the facts and won’t be impartial and it’s just judging her based on not liking her.”

Prosecutors relied on several first responders who testified that Read admitted that she hit O’Keefe — saying “I hit him” — as well as evidence that Read was legally intoxicated or close to it eight hours later, after she returned to the house with friends and they found the body.

Several witnesses testified the couple had a stormy relationship that had begun to sour. Prosecutors presented angry texts between the couple hours before O’Keefe died. They also played voice messages from Read to O’Keefe that were left after she allegedly struck him, including one left minutes afterward saying, “John I (expletive) hate you.”

Defense attorneys sought to poke holes in the police investigation, noting that Albert’s house was never searched for signs of a fight involving O’Keefe and that the crime scene was not secured. They suggested that some evidence — like pieces of her SUV’s cracked taillight, a broken drinking glass and even a strand of hair — was planted by police.

A turning point in the trial came when lead investigator, State Trooper Michael Proctor, took the stand. He acknowledged sending offensive texts about Read to friends, family and fellow troopers during the investigation. He apologized for the language he used but insisted they had no influence on the investigation.

In his texts, he called Read several names, including “whack job.” At one point, he texted his sister that he wished Read would “kill herself,” which he told jurors was a figure of speech. And despite having relationships with several witnesses, he remained on the case.

Two expert witnesses hired by the U.S. Department of Justice during an investigation of police handling of the case testified for the defense, providing a scientific analysis for their conclusion that O’Keefe’s injuries and the physical evidence didn’t sync with the prosecution theory that he was struck and injured by Read’s 7,000-pound (3,175-kilogram) vehicle.

O’Keefe had a significant head injury and other injuries but lacked significant bruising or broken bones typically associated with being hit by a vehicle at the speed indicated by GPS and the SUV’s onboard computer.

Supporters of Karen Read celebrate near Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors deadlocked in the case of Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by striking him with her SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, right, smiles as defense attorney David Yannetti, front left, speaks to reporters in front of Norfolk Superior Court after the judge declared a mistrial after jurors were unable to reach a verdict following a two-month trial, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Before the jury enters, Judge Beverly J. Cannone, right, speaks to the defense and prosecution during the Karen Read trial at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat GreenhouseThe Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone speaks in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Judge Beverly J. Cannone greets jurors in Norfolk Superior Court, on their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Paul O'Keefe, center, brother of the late Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, enters Norfolk Superior Court with his wife Erin O'Keefe, front left, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

Jean Allan, of Weymouth, Mass., front, a supporter of Karen Read, displays a sign to passing cars near Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

All stand as the jury files out to the courtroom, to start their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Karen Read in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

Flags, flowers and remembrances flank the headstone of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, at Blue Hill Cemetery, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Braintree, Mass. A jury is deliberating the fate of O'Keefe's girlfriend, Karen Read, who is charged with second-degree murder in O'Keefe's death. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Karen Read talks with her legal team at the Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., Monday, July 1, 2024. This is their fifth day of deliberations in the murder trial for Read. Read is accused of backing her SUV into her Boston Police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, and leaving him to die in a blizzard in Canton, in 2022. (Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via AP, Pool)

An empty flagpole is seen outside the residence where the body of John O'Keefe, a Boston police officer, was found on Jan. 29, 2022, outside the home, Thursday, June 27, 2024, in Canton, Mass. The fate of Karen Read, who is charged with second-degree murder in the death is in the hands of a jury currently deliberating her case. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

This photo undated photo released by the Boston Police Department shows officer John O'Keefe. (Boston Police Department via AP)

Karen Read, center, arrives at Norfolk Superior Court, Monday, July 1, 2024, in Dedham, Mass. Read is on trial, accused of killing her boyfriend Boston police Officer John O'Keefe, in 2022. The jury began deliberations in the trial Tuesday, June 25. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)