Karen Read has initiated legal action against Massachusetts State Police and Canton officials, claiming investigative misconduct and negligence in the case that resulted in her criminal prosecution for her boyfriend’s death.
Filed Thursday in Bristol County Superior Court, the civil lawsuit contends that Read’s June acquittal exposed “an embedded culture of bigotry, misogyny, systemic failures, and institutional rot at the very core of both organizations.” The legal action claims both agencies failed in proper hiring, training and oversight of personnel, while seeking compensation for attorney costs, lost wages, emotional trauma and damage to her reputation.
The legal filing extensively details the conduct of former state trooper Michael Proctor and former Canton police Sgt. Sean Goode, referencing text messages, audio recordings and other communications that allegedly contain racist, sexist and offensive language. Read’s legal team maintains these materials prove both officers were unsuitable for the investigation and reflect systemic oversight problems within both departments.
State Police Superintendent Col. Geoffrey Noble responded Thursday, describing Proctor’s communications as “racist, sexist and abhorrent” and confirming they justified the former trooper’s termination. Noble emphasized the messages contradicted departmental values and highlighted reforms implemented during his leadership, noting the investigation occurred before he assumed command.
“These disturbing messages are entirely inconsistent with any basic standard of decency and certainly with the expectations of a Massachusetts State Trooper,” Noble stated, adding that officials are “keenly aware of the ways in which this misconduct harmed the public trust on which our mission depends.”
Canton officials and the Canton Police Department have not yet provided responses to requests for comment.
Read concluded her legal ordeal approximately one year ago as a free person following more than three years and two separate trials concerning the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, her boyfriend. O’Keefe was discovered on a suburban lawn belonging to a fellow officer following an evening of heavy alcohol consumption during a winter storm.
The prosecution maintained Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle during the January 2022 party night, abandoning him to perish in the blizzard conditions. She faced accusations of second-degree murder, manslaughter and fleeing the scene. While jurors cleared her of these serious charges, they found her guilty of a reduced drunk driving offense.
Read’s defense team successfully portrayed a troubling narrative of law enforcement misconduct, proposing that O’Keefe was actually murdered by police colleagues who subsequently orchestrated a cover-up.
The proceedings focused significantly on lead investigator Michael Proctor, whom defense counsel characterized as prejudiced against Read from the investigation’s start. The Massachusetts State Police trial board determined Proctor guilty of transmitting vulgar and defamatory text messages about Read during his leadership of her case. His termination made him a focal point for Read’s supporters who maintain the investigation was compromised.
Goode was suspended in November 2025 after the town received misconduct allegations. According to media reports, he submitted his resignation this week.
