Fallout from one trooper’s embarrassing testimony during the Karen Read trial has permanently changed his family’s life, his wife and sister said during an exclusive interview with NewsCenter 5. “We’ve lost two years of our lives with this,” said Elizabeth Proctor, wife of suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor. Proctor was suspended without pay, relieved of duty and transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office within hours of Read’s mistrial. Three commissioned officers are deliberating further discipline for Proctor after three days of hearings held since January. Proctor’s wife and his sister, Courtney, said Monday that they continue to support him. They agree the messages he wrote about Read while investigating her were regrettable and unprofessional but say it did not influence his conclusion that Read killed her boyfriend, John O’Keefe. The Proctors also say the messages don’t justify the harassment that their families, including their young children, have received.”They don’t understand what’s going on. But that’s sort of what breaks me, is when I see them playing and so happy. And I’m like, ‘God, they have no idea that their parents’ world is crumbling,'” Elizabeth Proctor said. Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of hitting her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her SUV outside a Canton home on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in a snowstorm following a night of drinking at two bars. Her first trial on three charges began in April 2024 and ended in a mistrial on July 1.During the first trial, Michael Proctor was questioned about messages he shared with a group of friends. After reading one of the messages, in which he called Read a “whack job” and an expletive, he apologized to the jury for his “unprofessional” comments.In another text message, he told his sister that he hopes Karen Read kills herself. He described his messages as “very regrettable.”Video below: Testimony about inappropriate textsHe also admitted not initially disclosing his connection to some of the witnesses in the case.”Is there any doubt in your mind that Michael Proctor might have framed Karen Read?” NewsCenter 5 asked.”No doubt whatsoever in our mind,” Courtney Proctor replied. “No doubt whatsoever. And the evidence shows that. The investigations show that.”Elizabeth and Courtney Proctor said Michael Proctor wrote those messages because he was upset about the death of a fellow police officer. They said federal investigators have reviewed five years of his personal emails and text messages without finding other cases where he used such language.”The evidence pointed to this woman killing a fellow Boston police officer. So he was angry. He was upset by that. So I understand the need that he had to vent to friends whether it was appropriate or not,” Elizabeth Proctor said. More recently, Read’s defense revealed another profane message Proctor allegedly sent in the wake of her first trial. The defense has since acknowledged that information was revealed despite the information being under seal. Elizabeth and Courtney Proctor say those messages do not justify the harassment they have received from Read supporters including rocks thrown in their yards and anonymous voicemails that say things like, “I’m going to be your kids new mommy. And I’m taking your kids and I’m taking your dogs.”A controversial blogger named Aidan Kearney, who goes by the name Turtleboy, has been charged with witness intimidation but the Proctors say he’s not the only one responsible.”It seems like Karen Read and Aidan have been conspiring and colluding,” Elizabeth Proctor said. Proctor’s wife and sister first issued statements last week morning in which they argued that he has been “defamed, maligned and falsely labeled corrupt” through “unrelenting propaganda and disinformation” being shared by Read, her family, her attorneys and her supporters. They allege that Read is trying to paint herself as a victim “with the hope of tainting a jury pool.” Video below: Defense argues Proctor manipulated evidence Read’s second trial is scheduled to begin next month. Final pretrial hearings are scheduled for this week, and jury selection is expected to begin on April 1. Proctor was also involved in the investigation of Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife. Prosecutors said last year that they plan to present that case without calling Proctor as a witness.Walshe’s trial is scheduled for October.
FRAMINGHAM, Mass. —Fallout from one trooper’s embarrassing testimony during the Karen Read trial has permanently changed his family’s life, his wife and sister said during an exclusive interview with NewsCenter 5.
“We’ve lost two years of our lives with this,” said Elizabeth Proctor, wife of suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor.
Proctor was suspended without pay, relieved of duty and transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office within hours of Read’s mistrial. Three commissioned officers are deliberating further discipline for Proctor after three days of hearings held since January.
Proctor’s wife and his sister, Courtney, said Monday that they continue to support him. They agree the messages he wrote about Read while investigating her were regrettable and unprofessional but say it did not influence his conclusion that Read killed her boyfriend, John O’Keefe.
The Proctors also say the messages don’t justify the harassment that their families, including their young children, have received.
“They don’t understand what’s going on. But that’s sort of what breaks me, is when I see them playing and so happy. And I’m like, ‘God, they have no idea that their parents’ world is crumbling,'” Elizabeth Proctor said.
Read, 45, of Mansfield, is accused of hitting her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, with her SUV outside a Canton home on Jan. 29, 2022, and leaving him to die in a snowstorm following a night of drinking at two bars. Her first trial on three charges began in April 2024 and ended in a mistrial on July 1.
During the first trial, Michael Proctor was questioned about messages he shared with a group of friends. After reading one of the messages, in which he called Read a “whack job” and an expletive, he apologized to the jury for his “unprofessional” comments.
In another text message, he told his sister that he hopes Karen Read kills herself. He described his messages as “very regrettable.”
Video below: Testimony about inappropriate texts
He also admitted not initially disclosing his connection to some of the witnesses in the case.
“Is there any doubt in your mind that Michael Proctor might have framed Karen Read?” NewsCenter 5 asked.
“No doubt whatsoever in our mind,” Courtney Proctor replied. “No doubt whatsoever. And the evidence shows that. The investigations show that.”
Elizabeth and Courtney Proctor said Michael Proctor wrote those messages because he was upset about the death of a fellow police officer. They said federal investigators have reviewed five years of his personal emails and text messages without finding other cases where he used such language.
“The evidence pointed to this woman killing a fellow Boston police officer. So he was angry. He was upset by that. So I understand the need that he had to vent to friends whether it was appropriate or not,” Elizabeth Proctor said.
More recently, Read’s defense revealed another profane message Proctor allegedly sent in the wake of her first trial. The defense has since acknowledged that information was revealed despite the information being under seal.
Elizabeth and Courtney Proctor say those messages do not justify the harassment they have received from Read supporters including rocks thrown in their yards and anonymous voicemails that say things like, “I’m going to be your kids new mommy. And I’m taking your kids and I’m taking your dogs.”
A controversial blogger named Aidan Kearney, who goes by the name Turtleboy, has been charged with witness intimidation but the Proctors say he’s not the only one responsible.
“It seems like Karen Read and Aidan have been conspiring and colluding,” Elizabeth Proctor said.
Proctor’s wife and sister first issued statements last week morning in which they argued that he has been “defamed, maligned and falsely labeled corrupt” through “unrelenting propaganda and disinformation” being shared by Read, her family, her attorneys and her supporters. They allege that Read is trying to paint herself as a victim “with the hope of tainting a jury pool.”
Video below: Defense argues Proctor manipulated evidence
Read’s second trial is scheduled to begin next month. Final pretrial hearings are scheduled for this week, and jury selection is expected to begin on April 1.
Proctor was also involved in the investigation of Brian Walshe, who is accused of killing and dismembering his wife. Prosecutors said last year that they plan to present that case without calling Proctor as a witness.
Walshe’s trial is scheduled for October.
