During the court proceedings, Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor came under fire for sending texts that referred to Karen Read as a “wackjob” and made light of her health condition.
The case revolves around Read being accused of killing her boyfriend, a police officer named John O’Keefe, in Canton near Boston with her SUV and leaving him to die in a snowbank.
The ongoing trial at Norfolk Superior Court has captivated the attention of Boston residents and people across America, with campaigns supporting both sides.
Proctor was questioned by the opposing team and was taken to task for his unprofessional behavior shown in the texts.
Proctor admitted making derogatory comments about Read and expressed regret over his language. He clarified that his investigation remained unaltered by his personal remarks.
Read’s attorney criticized Proctor for objectifying Read in his texts and questioned his professionalism during the investigation.
In the midst of these controversies, the trial has entered its seventh week, with the prosecution alleging that Read struck O’Keefe with her car, causing his death due to hypothermia and head injuries.
The defense contends that O’Keefe may have sustained his injuries elsewhere before being left outside and suggests the possibility of evidence tampering with hair and glass fragments found on Read’s SUV.
Despite concerns about bias, Proctor asserted that his friendship with a party attendee did not compromise the investigation and denied any interference with the evidence collected at the crime scene.
Prosecutors presented evidence, including plastic debris matching Read’s damaged taillight, to support their case against her. Video footage was also used to counter claims of vehicle damage.