The lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case faced a board of his colleagues Wednesday regarding misconduct allegations he has faced for his behavior during the high-profile investigation.
Trooper Michael Proctor has been suspended without pay since July. He’s a 10-year veteran of Massachusetts State Police who earned $102,000 as salary last year plus an additional $35,000 in other pay over the past two years.
Wednesday’s hearing ended without a decision being made. It will continue Feb. 10, state police say.
Proctor came under fire when he testified about a series of disturbing text messages about the Read investigation during her murder trial.
During the investigation into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe — Read’s boyfriend — Proctor sent a series of texts to colleagues, supervisors, friends and family.
He called Read a “whack job c***,” making disparaging remarks about her medical conditions. He said after going through her phone that he had found “no nudes so far.”
In a text to his sister, Courtney Proctor, he said of Read, “Hopefully she kills herself.”
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When a friend suggested the owner of the home outside of which O’Keefe was found could “receive some s***,” Proctor replied, “Nope, homeowner is a Boston cop, too.”
During the trial, Proctor said his remarks were “unprofessional and regrettable.”
Calls for Proctor’s resignation have grown louder leading up to Wednesday’s hearing after Gov. Maura Healey said she was “disgusted” by his actions.
The hearing isn’t public but the department’s new commander said he may immediately impose permanent discipline if Proctor is found responsible for the misconduct he’s accused of, and that outcome will have immediate implications on how Read’s second trial unfolds, along with any pending investigations that Proctor is a part of, including the trial for Brian Walshe.
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