In a series of developments related to the Karen Read case, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who led the investigation into the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, was suspended without pay following a duty status hearing. The hearing was held after it was revealed that Proctor had made offensive comments about Read during the investigation. These comments came to light during her trial for second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating a motor vehicle under the influence of liquor, and leaving a scene of personal injury and death.
Proctor's suspension was recommended by a board of three commissioned officers who heard evidence in the matter. Interim Police Superintendent Col. John Mawn accepted their recommendation, stating that the focus remains on delivering police services with professionalism and integrity.
The defense team for Karen Read claimed that jurors had unanimously voted to acquit her of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of an accident with a death during the trial. However, they were deadlocked on the remaining manslaughter charge before Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial.
Proctor had already been relieved of duty and had his police-issued cruiser, gun, and gear taken away following standard practice in such cases. The internal affairs investigation into Proctor's conduct remained ongoing, with findings to be issued on each allegation and relayed to the state's POST Commission.
The defense team also filed a motion to dismiss two of the three charges against Karen Read, arguing that it would violate double jeopardy protections in both the U.S. and Massachusetts constitutions if she were retried on those counts.
A protest was scheduled to take place outside of the state police Troop H barracks in South Boston, where Proctor had been reassigned from the Norfolk District Attorney's Office. The transfer did not make him eligible to work in Troop H.
Proctor testified during Read's trial that he referred to her as a 'whack job' and texted his sister, 'Hopefully she kills herself.' He insisted that these comments had no bearing on the integrity of the investigation. The widespread outrage over Proctor's comments prompted condemnation from Governor Maura Healey, who called them 'terrible' and said they tarnished the integrity of law enforcement.
The Massachusetts State Police have not yet released a statement regarding their findings in the internal investigation into Proctor's conduct.
