A Massachusetts State Police officer who was fired over his conduct during the investigation into the murder of Boston police officer John O’Keefe appeared before the state’s Civil Service Commission on Tuesday as he appeals his firing.
Former Massachusetts state trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, delivered damning testimony during Karen Read’s first criminal trial over the murder of O’Keefe, her boyfriend at the time, including derogatory and sexist text messages Proctor sent friends about Read.
During the trial, it was also revealed that Proctor disclosed confidential information related to the murder investigation to friends and family members.
In this May 5, 2025, file photo, a photograph of John O’Keefe is projected during the trial of Karen Read, in Dedham, MA.
Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE
After Read’s first trial ended in a mistrial, Proctor was suspended without pay and relieved from active duty during an internal affairs investigation. He was later fired.
Attorneys representing Proctor argued that while the texts were inappropriate, firing him was not. Proctor’s attorneys argued there is an expectation of privacy when it comes to personal cellphones, saying his phone was “infiltrated” and he has not been told why until now.
His attorney also argued Proctor was fired in response to intense pressure from the press and the firing was solely about the texts and not his performance.
He “has been made to be a scapegoat,” attorney Daniel Moynihan, who represents Proctor, said during the hearing Tuesday.
Proctor immediately reported to state police that the texts were taken from his cellphone when he found out and he was assured that “not much would come of this,” yet he was fired after Read’s mistrial, according to Moynihan.
Proctor told an internal affairs investigator he believed he maintained an expectation of privacy regarding text messages on his personal phone. Text messages that had been sent on his personal device were obtained during a federal investigation opened by the Norfolk District Attorney’s office.
The murder retrial of Karen Read continues in Norfolk Superior Court, in Dedham, MA., on June 9, 2025.
Pat Greenhouse/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE
In one text sent to his sister, Proctor wrote “hopefully she kills herself.” In other texts he commented on her appearance in a derogatory manner and made fun of her health struggles.
During a hearing held in the Office of CSC in Boston, several clips from Proctor’s testimony in court were shown on Tuesday, including him reading out his derogatory text messages while on the stand during Read’s first trial..
Representatives for the Massachusetts State Police also played a clip from Proctor’s interview with ABC News’ “20/20” episode in June. In the interview, he called the text messages “regrettable.”
Kevin Dwyer, with Massachusetts State Police internal affairs, told the commission he was asked to investigate Proctor after the agency was advised by the U.S. Attorney’s Office that there was a federal investigation into Proctor.
The internal affairs investigation sustained that Proctor provided information about Read and witnesses in the case to individuals who were not part of law enforcement, that he consumed alcohol on duty and made derogatory and defamatory comments about the suspect.
In this June 10, 2024, file photo, Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor takes the stand during Karen Read’s murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, MA.
Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Images, FILE
Read was acquitted of killing O’Keefe earlier this year in her second criminal trial over his death.
While Read was acquitted of the most serious charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter, she was found guilty of operating a vehicle under the influence of liquor. She was immediately sentenced to probation.
Prosecutors had alleged Read struck O’Keefe with her car outside of the Canton home of fellow police officer Brian Albert after a night of heavy drinking in January 2022, then left him to die there during a major blizzard.
Proctor filed an appeal of his firing on March 27.
Proctor’s appeal hearing will continue on Wednesday before resuming once again for three days in October. Discovery will be produced to his attorneys by October.
