BOSTON (AP) — The Massachusetts State Police have terminated State Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case, after a disciplinary board found he engaged in inappropriate conduct. This decision came after Proctor sent sexist and crude text messages about Read, who is accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The investigation into Proctor's behavior was initiated following the mistrial of Read’s case in July 2023.
The controversy surrounding Proctor was fueled by the internal affairs investigation that scrutinized his actions during the investigation of Read, who is alleged to have hit O'Keefe with her SUV and left him to die in a snowstorm in January 2022. Upon discovering the derogatory messages he sent about Read, during which he was leading the investigation, the police department suspended him without pay. Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble stated that the decision to terminate Proctor followed a comprehensive and impartial process, emphasizing the significance of maintaining the integrity of the investigative process and protecting the reputations of the State Police.
The State Police Trial Board concluded that Proctor was guilty of sending “derogatory, defamatory and disparaging and/or inappropriate text messages” regarding Read. He faced further allegations for leaking sensitive information about the case to individuals outside law enforcement and for consuming alcohol while on duty. Consequently, the Trial Board recommended his dismissal from the state police.
In response to the termination, Proctor's family expressed their disappointment, claiming the decision lacks precedent and unfairly targets one of their own. They stressed that the investigation centered on evidence from his personal phone, asserting that the messages reflect human error rather than corruption or incompetence in his role as a homicide detective. They maintain that he was fit to continue serving as a Massachusetts State Trooper.
The case surrounding Read is particularly contentious, as her defense has framed her as a victim. The defense contended that O’Keefe was killed inside a home belonging to fellow Boston police officer Brian Albert and later moved outside. They argued that investigators hastily identified Read as a suspect due to her being an outsider, sparing local law enforcement from scrutiny.
A pivotal moment in the initial trial arose from Proctor's testimony. The defense suggested that the controversial texts he sent implied bias in his investigation, indicating that he had prematurely singled out Read while ignoring other potential suspects. This implication has heightened concerns regarding the fairness of the investigation and trial.
A retrial in Read's case is scheduled to occur next month, and Proctor's name remains on the list of potential witnesses submitted by the defense. As the legal proceedings continue, the implications of Proctor’s dismissal and the integrity of the original investigation will likely be the subject of intense scrutiny.
