The Massachusetts State Police have fired Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case, following allegations of misconduct. The decision was made by the state police trial board after hearings that began in January 2025.
- Massachusetts State Police investigator fired for misconduct
- Michael Proctor faced charges of unsatisfactory performance
- Proctor sent inappropriate messages about a suspect
- Family claims decision is unfair and unprecedented
- Karen Read's retrial scheduled for April 1
- Allegations of evidence manipulation during trial
Proctor was found guilty of multiple charges, including unsatisfactory performance and consuming alcohol while on duty. His actions included sending inappropriate text messages about a suspect during the investigation into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
Michael Proctor’s termination comes after he led the investigation into the January 2022 death of John O’Keefe, a Boston police officer. The trial board’s hearings revealed that Proctor had sent derogatory messages regarding suspects involved in the case and acknowledged consuming alcohol while operating his department vehicle. His family expressed disappointment with the ruling, arguing it unfairly scapegoated him despite his previously unblemished record over 12 years.
The specific charges against Proctor included three counts of unsatisfactory performance and one count related to on-duty alcohol consumption. During his testimony, he admitted that some comments were unprofessional but maintained they did not affect the integrity of his investigative work.
- Proctor was relieved from his position immediately after Read’s trial ended with a hung jury last summer.
- Karen Read is facing retrial for second-degree murder scheduled to begin April 1, 2025.
- The internal investigation into Proctor’s conduct was initiated after serious misconduct allegations emerged during Read’s trial.
This situation highlights ongoing concerns about investigative practices within law enforcement agencies. As public scrutiny increases regarding police conduct and accountability, cases like this may influence future policies and training programs aimed at preventing similar incidents.
The firing of Michael Proctor underscores critical issues within law enforcement investigations and raises questions about professional standards among officers tasked with handling sensitive cases such as homicide investigations.
