Karen Read, who was acquitted last year in the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend, has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and the town of Canton. The suit, filed in Bristol County Superior Court, alleges misconduct and negligence in the investigation that led to her prosecution.
Allegations of Misconduct
The lawsuit claims that Read’s acquittal exposed systemic failures within the police agencies, including a culture of bigotry and misogyny. It argues that the town and police department were negligent in hiring, training, and supervising officers. The complaint seeks damages for legal fees, lost income, emotional distress, and reputational harm.
Central to the lawsuit are former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode. The complaint includes texts and recordings allegedly showing racist and sexist remarks by both men, suggesting they were unfit for the investigation. Read’s lawyers argue that these materials reflect broader failures in oversight by state and local law enforcement.
Response from Authorities
State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble condemned Proctor’s messages as “racist, sexist, and abhorrent,” supporting his decision to fire the former trooper. Noble stated that these comments do not reflect the department’s values and highlighted changes made since his tenure began. The town of Canton and its police department have not commented on the lawsuit.
Read’s legal battle began after the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, who was found outside a fellow officer’s home after a night of heavy drinking during a snowstorm. Prosecutors alleged Read hit O’Keefe with her SUV, leaving him to die in a blizzard. She was acquitted of second-degree murder, manslaughter, and leaving the scene, but was convicted of a lesser charge of drunken driving.
Defense attorneys argued that the investigation was tainted by bias, particularly by lead investigator Michael Proctor. The Massachusetts State Police trial board found Proctor guilty of sending defamatory messages about Read while leading the investigation, resulting in his dismissal. Goode, facing allegations of misconduct, resigned earlier this week.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
