Former Massachusetts Trooper Michael Proctor Breaks Silence Post-Karen Read Retrial Verdict

Michael Proctor, the former Massachusetts State Police trooper and lead investigator in the Karen Read case, spoke publicly for the first time since his firing about the investigation and allegations surrounding the death of John O’Keefe. Proctor firmly denied any conspiracy or framing of Read, stating that the evidence he collected pointed to her guilt and calling accusations against him "ridiculous." He addressed his personal relationships with individuals involved, clarifying that he had no close ties that would bias his investigation, and defended his conduct despite having sent derogatory text messages about Read, which contributed to his dismissal. Following Read’s acquittal on murder and hit-and-run charges but conviction for operating under the influence, Proctor participated in interviews on ABC’s 20/20 and NBC’s Dateline to discuss the case and the fallout from his firing. He also refuted claims that he tampered with evidence, such as the SUV taillight, and emphasized that criticisms of his character were distractions from the case itself. These interviews aimed to shed light on the complexities of the investigation amid public and legal scrutiny.