Will Michael Proctor testify in Karen Read’s trial? – NBC Boston

Michael Proctor – we heard this name over and over again during the trial of Karen Read.

The Massachusetts State Police detective led the investigation into the death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, but it is still unclear whether or not he will testify as a witness.

“The question of whether or not the lead investigator is called during a murder trial is unusual,” said legal expert Michael Coyne.

We have learned from Read’s lawyers that Proctor will appear as a key witness.

Proctor was appointed to investigate O’Keefe’s death in January 2022. Prosecutors allege Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him dying in a snowbank in Canton, Massachusetts.

The sixth week of the high-profile Karen Read murder trial has come to an end. Many of the prosecution’s witnesses still have to be questioned before the defense presents its case. Follow NBC10 Boston on… Instagram: instagram.com/nbc10boston TikTok: tiktok.com/@nbc10boston Facebook: facebook.com/NBC10Boston X: twitter.com/NBC10Boston

A former New York prosecutor unconnected with the case says that based on what has already been said in court – from the search of Read’s phone for compromising photos to the text messages exchanged – if Proctor were his client, you wouldn’t hear much from him every time he was called to the stand.

“If his lawyer believes he is telling the truth and he is being unfairly attacked by the defense, then so be it,” said Mark Bederow. “I would not be the least bit surprised if his lawyer made it clear to the court that he would be invoking his Fifth Amendment right to not testify on any material issue related to this case.”

Since the trial has already ended a week ago, Governor Maura Healey briefly commented on Friday when asked whether she had been following the much-publicized case.

“I have obviously been following it,” said Healey. “But I will leave it to others, including MSPs, to say more about the process.”

The trial will resume on Monday.