Friend in Michael Proctor’s group chat reads texts from night of O’Keefe’s death

DEDHAM, Mass. (WLNE) — The defense is asking questions Monday afternoon in the second trial of Karen Read.

The main topic of Monday’s proceedings, the conduct of former Massachusetts state trooper Michael Proctor during his investigation of Boston police officer John O’Keefe’s murder.

Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, O’Keefe, with her SUV in January of 2022; Read’s defense team is saying that she is being framed for the murder.

After a mistrial was declared last July, an investigation was launched into trooper Proctor’s conduct, eventually leading to his firing.

The possibility of Proctor’s testimony has loomed large over the retrial.

Monday morning, we heard from Proctor’s childhood friend, who read texts from his group chat with Proctor that were sent the night of O’Keefe’s murder.

Proctor’s texts and carelessness with the classified information directly led to his firing.

It’s still not clear if the defense will call on Proctor.

The trial will reconvene Tuesday morning.