Federal grand juror in Karen Read case sentenced for leaking information

Jessica Leslie, a 34-year-old former grand juror, was sentenced to two months of home confinement for leaking confidential information from the Karen Read federal investigation. Prosecutors stated that Leslie shared sensitive details with a friend, who then posted them on social media, including witness identities and testimony topics. U. S. District Judge Indira Talwani condemned Leslie's "flippant" attitude during sentencing, which included two years of probation.

Leslie expressed her remorse, stating she had been a law-abiding citizen throughout her life. The leaked information involved two grand jury matters, one related to the closed federal probe of Read's murder case. Leslie's attorney noted that she became entangled in the excitement surrounding the case and trusted her friend to keep the information private. Court documents confirmed that Leslie was fired from her job with the state’s Department of Children and Families as a result of her criminal case. The situation underscores the serious ramifications of breaching grand jury confidentiality.