Abby Patkin
Abby Patkin is a general assignment news reporter whose work touches on public transit, crime, health, and everything in between. She joined Boston.com from the MetroWest Daily News and was previously a staff writer for the Brookline TAB and the Wellesley Townsman. Abby's work has been recognized at the New England Better Newspaper Competition in 2021 and 2023. A Brandeis University graduate and Greater Boston native, she can be found with an iced Dunks year-round.
Biography:
https://www.boston.com/author/abby-patkin/
96%
The Daily's Verdict
This author is known for its high journalistic standards. The author strives to maintain neutrality and transparency in its reporting, and avoids conflicts of interest. The author has a reputation for accuracy and rarely gets contradicted on major discrepancies in its reporting.
Bias
98%
Examples:
- Assumes there is compelling evidence against Karen Read without providing any facts or context.
- The author assumes that there is compelling evidence against Karen Read without providing any facts or context
- The author calls Karen Read a 'wack job c**t' and 'retarded'
Conflicts of Interest
100%
Examples:
No current examples available.
Contradictions
79%
Examples:
- A Nike sneaker matching John O'Keefe's was found outside 34 Fairview Road on the day of the incident.
- In previous investigations, Trooper Proctor observed that both pieces of footwear remained at the point of impact in crashes involving motor vehicles and pedestrians.
- Prosecutors allege that Read backed into her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe.
Deceptions
92%
Examples:
- Assumes that there is compelling evidence against Karen Read without providing any facts or context.
- The author assumes that there is compelling evidence against Karen Read without providing any facts or context.
- The author calls Karen Read a 'wack job c**t' and 'retarded'
Recent Articles
Jury Deliberates Fate of Karen Read in Boston Police Officer's Death
Broke On: Tuesday, 25 June 2024Jurors began deliberations in the Karen Read trial on June 25, 2024, over allegations she was involved in the murder of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. Prosecution presented evidence of a hit-and-run accident and witnesses testifying to Read's admission to the crime. Defense argued for a cover-up and presented evidence of police corruption. 
Lead Investigator's Derogatory Comments Raise Questions about Karen Read Murder Trial's Impartiality
Broke On: Wednesday, 12 June 2024Lead investigator Trooper Michael Proctor's derogatory comments about defendant Karen Read, including hopes for her suicide, raise questions about impartiality in the Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe murder investigation. 
Massachusetts State Trooper's Inappropriate Texts About Defendant Raise Bias Concerns in Boston Police Officer Death Investigation
Broke On: Wednesday, 12 June 2024Lead investigator Michael Proctor came under scrutiny for biased texts about defendant Karen Read during the investigation into Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe's death. Proctor made disparaging remarks and joked about finding nude photos on her phone, raising concerns of bias from the defense. He also shared details about the case with friends hours after O'Keefe's death. 
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Testifies in Karen Read Murder Trial Amidst Allegations of Police Misconduct
Broke On: Saturday, 29 January 2022Lead investigator in the Karen Read murder trial, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, testified on Monday amidst allegations of withheld information and potential witness exclusion. Proctor, under investigation for a department policy violation related to the case, took the stand following heated motions hearings where defense attorney David Yannetti accused prosecutors of lying. 
Massachusetts Trial: Key Witnesses Testify in Officer John O'Keefe's Tragic Death Case
Broke On: Monday, 29 January 2024A tragic event unfolded in Canton, Massachusetts on January 29, 2022, when Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe was found unresponsive outside his girlfriend Karen Read's residence. The ensuing investigation led to the discovery of a discarded sneaker and broken taillight outside the house. Forensic evidence from Read's SUV, including damage to the right taillight and human hair on the rear, has been presented in court. The defense argues O'Keefe was killed elsewhere, but no concrete evidence supports this claim. The trial continues with more witnesses expected to testify. 
Federal Agent's Destroyed Phone and Defendant's High BAC: Key Evidence in Karen Read Murder Trial
Broke On: Tuesday, 28 May 2024Karen Read's murder trial focuses on destroyed evidence and blood alcohol content, as defense argues she was not driving her SUV when her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, was killed. Federal agent Brian Higgins admitted to destroying his phone after exchanging flirtatious texts with Read; phlebotomist Nicholas Roberts testified that Read's BAC ranged from 0.135 to 0.292 at the time of O'Keefe's death. 
Canton Murder Trial: Defendant Karen Read's Alleged Conspiracy vs. Prosecution's Intoxicated Hit-and-Run
Broke On: Tuesday, 21 May 2024In Canton, MA, Karen Read stands trial for allegedly killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, John O'Keefe, by hitting him with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow outside a fellow officer's home. The defense frames it as a conspiracy while the prosecution claims Read killed O'Keefe during a fight inside Brian Albert's house and dragged him outside. Key witness Jennifer McCabe testified finding O'Keefe unresponsive on the lawn. 
New Witness Testimonies in Karen Read Trial Shed Light on Boston Police Officer's Death
Broke On: Saturday, 29 January 2022A friend of a suspect's brother testified about seeing a suspicious black SUV near the scene where Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe was found dead in January 2022. Witnesses also reported seeing something unusual at the crime scene. The defense claims O'Keefe was killed inside a Canton house, but six witnesses deny ever seeing him or his girlfriend there. Supporters suspect a cover-up and conspiracy theory surrounds the rare woman accused of murder case in Boston. 
Witnesses Testify in Karen Read Trial: Defense Cross-Examines, Two Assault Reports at Court
Broke On: Monday, 13 May 2024On May 13, 2024, at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, the Karen Read trial progressed with cross-examination of witnesses in the second-degree murder case against her for Boston police officer John O'Keefe's death. Retired Boston police officer Brian Albert testified about their last interaction on January 29, 2022, and Caitlin Albert shared her guardianship connection to the O'Keefe family and lack of contact from investigators. Two assault reports disrupted the courtroom. 
Massachusetts Woman Karen Read's Second-Degree Murder Trial Begins: Alleged Hit-and-Run or Frame?
Broke On: Tuesday, 16 April 2024A Massachusetts woman, Karen Read, stands trial for second-degree murder and related charges in the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe. The incident occurred outside a Canton home during a snowstorm in January 2022. Prosecutors allege Read backed into O'Keefe with her SUV and left him to die, while defense attorneys claim she is being framed. Jury selection took place on April 16, 2024, resulting in a pool of twelve impartial jurors and six alternates.