The lead Massachusetts State Police investigator in the Karen Reed murder trial has been relieved of duty, hours after she was released after jurors were unable to reach a verdict, authorities announced Monday.
Officer Michael Proctor expressed relief following the mistrial in which Reed was accused of killing her boyfriend, who worked for the Boston Police Department.
“Upon learning of today’s findings, the police department has taken immediate steps to terminate Officer Michael Proctor and formally transfer him from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office State Police Criminal Division,” State Police Col. John Mohn said in a statement Monday.
Karen Reed trial could sink other high-profile murder cases, expert warns: ‘I don’t see why it wouldn’t’
Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor testifies at the trial of Karen Reed, Wednesday, June 12, 2024, in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. (Greg Durr/Patriot Ledger via The Associated Press, Pool)
According to Boston 25 News, Proctor’s last day at the District Attorney’s Office will be July 7. Fox News Digital has reached out to State Police.
Mr Proctor came under fire after a series of text messages he sent about Mr Reid were read out in court, and he admitted on the witness stand that they were “unprofessional”.
In private messages, he called her a “freak,” a “pussy-less bitch” and a “piece of shit,” said he hoped she would kill herself and joked about searching her phone for nude pictures.
Many legal experts believe Proctor’s testimony undermined the prosecution’s case.
The Massachusetts jury could not reach a consensus for several days and was unable to reach a unanimous decision on whether Reed was innocent or guilty after about 26 hours of deliberation.
Vulgar emails sent by state police officer about ‘Babe’ murder suspect could impact other high-profile cases, experts warn
Karen Reed smiles as her attorney, David Yanett, speaks to reporters outside Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts, Monday, July 1, 2024. A judge declared a mistrial Monday after jurors disagreed in the case of Reed, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend by running him over with an SUV and leaving him in a snowstorm. (AP Photo/Stephen Sene)
Reid, 44, is accused of murdering her boyfriend, John O’Keefe. After leaving the courtroom, she stood next to her lawyer, who said prosecutors had relied on compromised investigators.
“We’re not going to stop fighting,” said Reed’s lawyer, Alan Jackson.
“The state intends to retry the case,” the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office announced within minutes of the verdict.
O’Keefe’s body was discovered in January 2022 under several inches of snow outside the home of Boston Police Officer Brian Albert.
Prosecutors argued that Reed intentionally crashed into him with an SUV during a drunken fight, leaving him to die in the front yard of the home. Canton, MassachusettsI returned home with the northeast wind blowing.
Reed argued that the crimes were orchestrated as an elaborate cover-up to protect the Albert family, who have deep ties to law enforcement.
Supporters of Karen Reed rally outside the courthouse in Dedham, Massachusetts, on Friday, June 28, 2024. Reed faces three charges, including one for the January 2022 murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. (Patriot Pics/Backgrid, courtesy of Fox News Digital)
Click here to get the FOX News app
She pleaded not guilty to the charges Second-degree murderThe charge is negligent driving resulting in death by driving while drunk and fleeing the scene of a collision, causing injury or death.
Jurors heard testimony from dozens of witnesses and were presented with 700 pieces of evidence during the trial.
Fox News Digital’s Chris Eberhart contributed to this report.
