The lead investigator in the Karen Read case Michael Proctor will face an internal hearing determining his future with the State Police on Monday after the high profile trial revealed evidence of the trooper’s misconduct.
Read, 44, of Mansfield, was tried for second-degree murder, manslaughter and other charges related to the death of her boyfriend Boston cop John O’Keefe on Jan. 29, 2022. Following weeks of trial and deliberations, the jury failed to reach a verdict, and a mistrial was declared on July 1.
On the same day, Proctor, who was a key witness in the trial, was relieved of duty and transferred out Norfolk County DA’s Office State Police Detective’s Unit. An internal affairs investigation into the trooper’s misconduct remains ongoing.
Like any State Police discipline process, his duty status hearing Monday will determine whether the investigator will be retained on full duty, placed on restricted duty, suspended with pay or suspended without pay, the Massachusetts State Police said in a statement Sunday.
Proctor was the subject of heated criticism after he testified over the course of two days, June 10 and June 12, at the trial. During the testimony, lawyers revealed a number of personal text messages from Proctor joking about searching for nudes on Read’s phone, referring to the defendant as a “babe” and a “whack job (expletive),” making explicit fun of her gastrointestinal health issues, and stating he hoped she kills herself.
Following the State Police’s announcement last week, Proctor remained paid and employed by the department but was relieved of his work duties.
State Comptroller records show Proctor earned $184,397 in the last year.
Proctor was first placed under internal review long before the trial in March, after federal officials opened a probe into the investigation of the O’Keefe homicide.
The hearing Monday will be conducted virtually and Proctor will not be in-person at General Headquarters in Framingham, the State Police said. The department stated the hearing will not be open to the public or media.