Fired Investigator Challenges Conspiracy Allegations in Karen Read Case Twist
Former Massachusetts State Police trooper Michael Proctor has denied allegations of conspiring to frame Karen Read for the death of her boyfriend, Boston Police officer John O’Keefe. This denial came through a court filing on a recent Friday, making Proctor the first defendant to respond in an ongoing federal lawsuit in the District of Massachusetts.
Karen Read’s Lawsuit Against Defendants
Read is pursuing legal action over alleged civil rights violations related to the investigation and prosecution that followed O’Keefe’s death. Her suit includes several defendants:
- Michael Proctor (former State Police trooper)
- Yuriy Bukhenik (Proctor’s supervisor)
- Brian Tully (another supervisor)
- Brian Albert (Boston Police officer)
- Nicole Albert
- Jennifer McCabe
- Matt McCabe
- Brian Higgins (ATF agent)
These individuals allegedly conspired to falsely accuse Read, taking advantage of their law enforcement connections. Read asserts that O’Keefe died in the Albers’ home, and she was unjustly accused of running him over with her SUV.
Proctor’s Defense Claims
In his legal response, Proctor contradicted several of Read’s allegations. He rejected accusations of intentionally bypassing proper investigative procedures and denied any unspoken policy of “protecting their own.” He maintains that he acted in what he believed to be good faith during the investigation.
Controversial Text Messages
Proctor’s tenure ended in March due to his conduct during the Read investigation. Inappropriately, he sent derogatory text messages referring to Read in demeaning terms and suggested she commit suicide. His response filing stated, “The texts speak for themselves,” but he defends that his actions were justified and legally protected by qualified immunity.
Current Legal Situations
Proctor has labeled Read’s lawsuit as “frivolous” and seeks its dismissal, along with a jury trial for the claims that could proceed. Other defendants in the civil suit are required to file their responses by January 23.
Prior to this civil rights suit, Read faced a wrongful death lawsuit from O’Keefe’s family in 2024 after an initial mistrial. That case was temporarily halted until her acquittal in June. A hearing related to that lawsuit is slated for early February, with discussions of possibly merging these two cases for trial.
As developments unfold, the consequences of the allegations and their implications for the involved parties remain significant in the public eye. The complexities surrounding the Karen Read case continue to draw attention in the legal community and beyond.
