Defense team argues that their client has been framed and that homeowner's relationship with local and state police tainted investigation
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor testified in Karen Read murder trial
Proctor is currently under investigation for potential violation of department policy in connection with the case
Prosecution accused of lying during motions hearing regarding witnesses
In a shocking turn of events, the Karen Read murder trial has taken another unexpected twist as lead investigator Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor testified in court on Monday. The trial centers around the death of John O'Keefe, Karen Read's Boston police officer boyfriend, who was struck with an SUV and left for dead in a snowbank in Canton, Massachusetts. The defense team argues that their client has been framed by someone who beat O'Keefe to death inside the home and that the homeowner's relationship with local and state police tainted their investigation.
Proctor, who is currently being investigated for a potential violation of department policy in connection with the Read case, took the stand around 11:15 a.m. on Monday following a motions hearing where prosecutors argued that the defense team has withheld information on some witnesses and sought to exclude one witness altogether. Defense attorney David Yannetti accused the prosecution of lying during this argument.
As the trial continues, all facts will be communicated in an interesting way, one paragraph per fact with elaboration. Stay tuned for further updates as this story develops.
Michael Proctor, lead investigator in Karen Read case, testified in the Karen Read murder trial on Monday.
Defense team argues that she has been framed by someone who beat O’Keefe to death inside the home and that the homeowner’s relationship with local and state police tainted their investigation.
Proctor took the stand around 11:15 a.m. following the regular morning recess.
Prior to testimony resumption, a motions hearing was held with prosecutors arguing that defense team has withheld information on some witnesses and seeking to exclude one of their witnesses altogether.
Defense attorney David Yannetti accused prosecution of lying during the argument.
Accuracy
Proctor took the stand around 11:15 a.m.
Defense team argues that she has been framed by someone who beat O’Keefe to death inside the home
Defense contends taillight was broken when she backed into O’Keefe’s vehicle in his driveway.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor and Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik viewed John O’Keefe’s body at Good Samaritan Medical Center on January 29, 2022 with notable injuries including scrapes on his right arm, swollen and blackened eyes, a cut on his right nostril, and a smaller cut on his left eye. Blood was found on the back of John O’Keefe’s head.
Only one sneaker was found with John O’Keefe’s clothing in the hospital room.
Accuracy
In previous investigations, Trooper Proctor observed that both pieces of footwear remained at the point of impact in crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
A Nike sneaker matching John O’Keefe’s was found outside 34 Fairview Road on the day of the incident.
Defense alleges that Proctor planted evidence at the scene and intentionally botched the investigation as a way to cover up for friends who are witnesses in the case.
Proctor's lawyer has not responded to a WBZ request for comment.
Read told Bukhenik that she believed O’Keefe was beaten up by Brian and Colin Albert, and that her taillight was cracked and O’Keefe ‘was pulverized’
Accuracy
Prosecution previously called an expert who said samples taken from O’Keefe after his death did not yield any canine DNA.
Defense team showed the jury video from 5 a.m. on Jan. 29 which appears to show Read bump O’Keefe’s car in the driveway, they say it caused some damage to the taillight.
Investigators said the taillight was shattered four hours earlier in the impact that killed O’Keefe.
Defense pointed out that certain words in a video of Read’s SUV inside the Canton Police Department sallyport were backward and the whole video is actually mirrored, they say someone had to put that on the altered video on purpose.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position. For instance, the article mentions that Read's defense alleges that Proctor planted evidence and intentionally botched the investigation but does not mention any evidence or testimony to support this claim. Additionally, the article states that prosecutors moved to exclude a witness based on late notice but does not mention any specific details about the witness or her anticipated testimony. This selective reporting makes it difficult for readers to form an unbiased opinion about the case.
The defense alleges that Proctor planted evidence at the scene and intentionally botched the investigation as a way to cover up for friends who are witnesses in the case.
Prosecutors moved to exclude the testimony of Dr. Marie Russell, a defense witness who plans to testify that O’Keefe’s injuries were consistent with that of an animal attack.
