DA has all of the Karen Read investigator's work phone records. Now what to do with them

DEDHAM — Prosecutors argue that releasing the work phone history of the state police lead investigator in the Karen Read murder case could jeopardize other cases.

The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office said in a new court filing that it had it received data from the cell phone of suspended Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator in the case of Read.

Read is a Mansfield woman accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend, Braintree native John O'Keefe. The trial ended in a mistrial in July. Judge Beverly Cannone declared a mistrial in the case in July. She has scheduled a second trial to begin Jan. 27, 2025.

During the trial, Proctor was questioned about inappropriate texts he had sent regarding Read during the investigation. He apologized to the jury for his "unprofessional" comments. Proctor is currently out on unpaid leave.

The district attorney's office said in the court filing that the data is expected to include information about open investigations and other data.

"Releasing the entire extraction report outside of law enforcement is anticipated to jeopardize open investigations, compromise the privacy and safety of civilians, and thus be contrary to the interests of justice," the filing reads.

The district attorney's office is now working to determine what information should be shared.

Karen Read charged with second-degree murder

Karen Read was charged with second-degree murder after O'Keefe's body was found in the driveway outside the Canton home of a fellow Boston police officer Jan. 29, 2022, during a snowstorm. Prosecutors say Read was drunk and angry when she purposely hit him after a night of drinking with friends at two local bars.

But defense attorneys for Read say she was framed for O'Keefe's death.

Read is also charged with manslaughter while driving under the influence and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.

Prosecutors called more than 65 witnesses in testimony that started April 29.

The defense's list of witnesses was much shorter and included a plow driver who said he did not see anything on the lawn in Canton where O'Keefe's body was found.

Investigations into police and law enforcement after Karen Read trial

In total, four state troopers and one Canton police officer have been placed under investigation stemming from the Read case.

The State Police, who drew much public criticism throughout the trial, issued a statement after the mistrial was declared stating that Michael Proctor was being transferred out of the detective unit of the Norfolk County district attorney's office.

The following week, Interim State Police Superintendent Col. John Mawn accepted the recommendation made by a hearing board to place Proctor, of Canton, on unpaid leave.

Canton police officer Kevin Albert was placed on paid leave in June pending an investigation related to testimony given during the trial.

Kevin Albert is a brother of Canton Select Board member Chris Albert and retired Boston police officer Brian Albert, who owned the house where O'Keefe was found dead outside in January 2022.

While testifying in the case, Proctor acknowledged that he and Kevin Albert texted about coordinating part of the O’Keefe investigation even though the Canton Police Department recused itself.

The texts also revealed that Proctor and Kevin Albert worked on a cold case together and went out drinking together afterward. Albert later sent Proctor a text asking if he (Albert) had left his badge and gun in Proctor's police cruiser.

Two more Massachusetts state troopers with ties to the Karen Read case are facing internal affairs investigations. A third trooper was investigated, but allegations of wrongdoing were "unfounded," the agency said in a statement.

State Police Detective Lt. Brian Tully and Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik are also facing internal affairs investigations and remain on full duty, according to a statement issued by the State Police. Tully and Bukhenik both testified in the first murder trial.

"The department respectfully declines further comment in fairness to the integrity of the process and pending investigative outcomes," the statement reads.

The agency said Lt. John Fanning was also investigated and the agency "determined that there was insufficient evidence to prove or disprove the allegation that Lieutenant Fanning violated rules and regulations by failing to uphold the responsibilities of a supervisory member." The allegation was categorized as "unfounded."

This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Karen Read case: DA has phone records from trooper's work phone