Karen Read has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and the Canton Police Department, alleging misconduct and negligence in the investigation of her boyfriend’s death. Read was acquitted of the most serious charges related to the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, in 2022. The lawsuit, filed Thursday (June 4) in Bristol County Superior Court, claims that her acquittal revealed “an embedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot” within both organizations.
The complaint highlights the conduct of former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode, citing derogatory texts and communications. According to Read’s lawyers, these materials demonstrate that both men were unfit to participate in the investigation and reflect broader failures in oversight by state and local law enforcement. State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble condemned Proctor’s messages as “racist, sexist, and abhorrent,” supporting his decision to fire the former trooper.
The lawsuit seeks damages for legal fees, lost income, emotional distress, and reputational harm. It also accuses the police departments of negligence in hiring, training, and supervising officers. Read’s lawyers argue that the investigation was tainted by bias from the start, with defense attorneys portraying police misconduct and theorizing that O’Keefe was killed by colleagues who then covered it up.
Read’s legal battle follows her acquittal on charges of second-degree murder and manslaughter. She was found guilty of a lesser charge of drunken driving. The trial focused on Proctor, who was found guilty by the Massachusetts State Police trial board of sending defamatory messages about Read during the investigation. Goode resigned earlier this week amid allegations of misconduct.
The town of Canton and the Canton Police Department have not responded to requests for comment. Meanwhile, the Massachusetts State Police are working to rebuild public trust, with Noble emphasizing the importance of upholding standards and strengthening accountability within the department.
Recent Comments