Massachusetts State Police made the decision to fire Trooper Michael Proctor after a trial board found him guilty on charges relating to unsatisfactory performance and misuse of alcoholic beverages. Revealed in a statement by Col. Geoffrey Noble, the board ruled that Proctor had sent "derogatory, defamatory, disparaging, and/or otherwise inappropriate text messages about a suspect" during the investigation of the Karen Read murder case. The incident that led to the alcoholic beverage charge involved Proctor consuming alcohol while on duty and subsequently operating his department cruiser, as reported by NBC Boston.
Proctor, a seasoned veteran of the Massachusetts State Police, was suspended without pay following a July 2024 mistrial in the Read murder case where he served as the lead investigator and a key witness for the prosecution. Misconduct details that emerged during the trial prompted state police to initiate an internal investigation. The trial board hearings spread over three days and concluded on March 13 led to ultimately terminate Proctor's employment. "Our mission to deliver the highest level of police services depends on the public's trust in our professionalism and integrity," Col. Noble expressed in a statement obtained by CBS News Boston.
Proctor's involvement in the case was marked by controversy due to the revelation of private text messages where he expressed disdain for Read, referring to her hoping she would "kill herself" and calling her a "whackjob [expletive]." These messages, uncovered by federal investigators, further fueled the narrative that led to Proctor's dismissal. The Department of Justice is still investigating how police handled the death of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, with Read's defense claiming a possible cover-up, according to further details from NBC Boston.
The turn of events has not only affected the pursuit of justice in the Read case but also brought considerable stress upon the families involved. Col. Noble renewed his condolences to the family of John O'Keefe, and Proctor's own family claimed he has been "defamed, maligned, and falsely labeled corrupt" due to the actions of others. Proctor has the opportunity to appeal his firing to the Civil Service Commission, as per CBS News Boston's coverage. Karen Read is set to face trial again in April, as her previous trial last July ended in a hung jury.
