A state trooper involved in the investigation of the death of a Boston police officer is now facing his own internal investigation, adding complexity to the case that has divided a Massachusetts suburb.
The Massachusetts State Police have opened an internal investigation into Trooper Michael Proctor for a potential violation of department policy. Proctor is one of the lead investigators in the death of Officer John O’Keefe, but the specifics of the investigation against him have not been disclosed.
Officer O’Keefe's girlfriend, Karen Read, is accused of hitting him with her SUV in Canton in January 2022 and leaving him outside in the snow to die. However, Read's defense team claims O’Keefe was fatally beaten in the home of a fellow Boston police officer and that Read is being framed to protect those involved in the incident.
O’Keefe's body was found hours later outside the home, and Read has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges including second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a collision.
Proctor's alleged violation is not confirmed to be related to Read's case, and he remains on full duty while cooperating with the investigation. The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office, handling Read's case, is aware of the investigation but stated that Proctor's responsibilities have not changed.
During a recent hearing, Read's defense team alleged that Proctor failed to disclose his close relationships with key witnesses in the case, suggesting a conflict of interest. Proctor's attorney maintains his client's integrity in investigating O’Keefe's death and denies any undermining of the investigation due to personal text messages.
The prosecution argues that the defense is attempting to divert attention from Read's alleged guilt by focusing on Proctor's relationships. Read's trial is set to begin next month as the investigation into Proctor continues.
