Northeast

Karen Read update: Fired lead investigator on witness list for 2nd trial in Boston cop John O'Keefe's death

Published

1 year ago

April 4, 2025

Karen Read update: Fired lead investigator on witness list for 2nd trial in Boston cop John O'Keefe's death

Former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, who was fired last month for his role in the Karen Read investigation, is on the witness list for her second trial, court documents revealed Monday.

Jurors were seen shaking their heads during Proctor’s testimony at her first trial, which ended with a hung jury. In a series of text messages that were read in court, he called Read a “wack job,” a “babe… with no a–” and a “c—.” He added that he wished she would kill herself and joked about looking through her phone for nude selfies.

He was the lead investigator into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, Read’s boyfriend at the time of his death, in January 2022.

KAREN READ’S 2ND MURDER TRIAL SET TO START IN DEATH OF BOYFRIEND COP: WHAT TO KNOW

Karen Read gives John O’Keefe a kiss on the side of his head in an undated photograph. (Courtesy of Karen Read)

Proctor has declined to comment on the case, but his wife and sister – also on the witness list – previously told Fox News Digital his texts did not compromise the investigation.

“At the end of the day, a beloved police officer and honorable man was killed,” his wife, Elizabeth Proctor, told Fox News Digital earlier this month.

“The prosecution believes it’s an open-and-shut case, and the defense knows this, too. So, their tactic is to put my husband, the lead investigator, on trial for sending texts on his personal phone to his friends and family.”

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Those texts led to an internal investigation and Proctor’s firing, and experts say the fallout from them played a role in the original mistrial.

At the top of the witness list, which came in alphabetical order, is Aidan Kearney, a local news blogger who was charged with harassing and intimidating witnesses during the first trial.

Other names include Brian Higgins, an ATF agent who was among several members of law enforcement inside a house party at the same address where O’Keefe was found dead outside the following morning; Brian Albert, the homeowner, along with several members of his family; accident reconstruction expert Dr. Daniel Wolfe, and dozens of others.

GO HERE FOR FULL COVERAGE OF THE 2ND KAREN READ TRIAL

Former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor takes the stand during Karen Read’s first murder trial at Norfolk Superior Court. (Kayla Bartkowski/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

JUROR IN KAREN MISTRIAL JOINS HER DEFENSE TEAM FOR RETRIAL

Judge Beverly Cannone on Monday also granted the prosecution’s request to block testimony from Michael Easter, a retired FBI agent. He was expected to dissect the case’s original investigators’ alleged failures to adhere to standard investigative policies and police protocols.

Read the witness list:

Read faces charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a deadly accident in connection with O’Keefe’s death.

Aidan Timothy Kearney speaks with a reporter outside Norfolk Superior Court on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Dedham, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

JUROR IN KAREN MISTRIAL JOINS HER DEFENSE TEAM FOR RETRIAL

Prosecutors accuse her of backing into him with her Lexus SUV and leaving him to die in a snowstorm.

She has maintained her innocence, and her defense is alleging that she is being framed as part of a cover-up.

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Karen Read smiles during a news conference in front of Norfolk Superior Court after a judge declared a mistrial on Monday, July 1, 2024 in Dedham, Massachusetts. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)

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An autopsy found the cause of his death to be blunt force trauma to the head and hypothermia.

O’Keefe had skull fractures, brain bleeding, swollen black eyes and cuts to his right arm, but the forensic pathologist held off on calling it a homicide, leaving the manner of death undetermined.

Officer John O’Keefe poses for his official portrait. (Boston Police Department)

The second trial begins Tuesday.

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New Hampshire

NH could be the first state to certify public safety comfort dogs

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4 minutes ago

May 2, 2026

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New Jersey

20-year-old charged with deadly shooting at Union, New Jersey Chick-fil-A

Published

10 minutes ago

May 2, 2026

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20-year-old charged with deadly shooting at Union, New Jersey Chick-fil-A

UNION, New Jersey (WABC) — A 20-year-old man is charged with the deadly mass shooting that caused chaos at a Chick-fil-A in New Jersey.

Jaheed Fields of Newark is facing several charges including murder and attempted murder.

On April 11, Fields opened fire inside the Chick-fil-A on Route 22 in Union. A 23-year-old man was killed and six others were hurt. Customers inside the restaurant went scrambling for the exits.

So far, no motive for the shooting has been revealed.

Witnesses say they heard at least seven shots piercing into the crowd.

Longtime customers said they were shaken by the violence.

“That’s what’s terrifying, being a father or a parent, you have to always be vigilant and keep your head on a swivel and make sure that you’re paying attention to your surroundings and try to avoid getting yourself into a situation and unfortunately coming to a Chick-fil-A at dinner time is apparently a situation you may have to avoid now a days,” customer Christopher Devido said.

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Pennsylvania

Could a gas tax holiday be imposed in Pennsylvania as prices at the pump continue to rise?

Published

52 minutes ago

May 2, 2026

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Could a gas tax holiday be imposed in Pennsylvania as prices at the pump continue to rise?

PENNSYLVANIA (WJAC) — Discussion continues about potentially suspending the Pennsylvania gas tax, one of the highest state gas taxes in the country, as prices at the pump continue to jump.

Lawmakers in both chambers are considering a gas tax holiday that would remove Pennsylvania’s gas tax for a limited period. The Senate proposal would last 60 days, while the House version would run for six months. Supporters say the move would provide needed help for people across the state, while opponents argue it is not sustainable.

The proposals would save drivers about 57 cents per gallon on gasoline and about 75 cents per gallon on diesel from the state gas tax.

Representatives of the Democratic senator Lisa Boscola, who proposed the Senate bill and is from the Lehigh area, said they will continue pushing the measure they believe is needed by families around the state and are optimistic it will pass.

In the House, the effort is mostly being pushed by Republicans, though local Republican Rep. Jim Rigby said he does not support it because it is “not a real solution.”

Democratic Rep. Paul Takac agrees, saying state police and PennDOT road work are funded through the gas tax, and that suspending it would essentially defund both, and they would have to find money to fill those voids. Takac added that he has not heard any serious intention to move the bill forward.

Democratic Rep. Frank Burns said he believes that if the proposal came to a vote, a gas tax holiday would pass with bipartisan support and would provide at least a small break to struggling families.

The debate continues as gas prices continue rising, with another jump in the last week.

Chief economist Gbenga Ajilore of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities says prices are unlikely to fall soon.

“It seems like gas prices are going to go up, and even if there’s some sort of resolution in say the next couple weeks, it’s going to be difficult to see prices go down anytime soon,” Ajilore said.

The Senate is back in session on Monday and for the next few days after that, but not again until June. If the gas tax holiday is going to move forward anytime soon, that is when it would likely happen.

In the House, the proposal would need to clear the Democratic-led Transportation Committee before it could go to a vote.

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