Lead investigator in Karen Read case suspended by Massachusetts State Police

The lead investigator in the Karen Read case has been suspended without pay by the state police.

On Monday, days after he was relieved of his duties as a detective in the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, State Trooper Michael Proctor held a closed-door disciplinary hearing.

According to a State Police spokesman, the three-member panel recommended that Proctor be suspended without pay. Acting State Police Colonel John Mawn accepted the panel’s recommendation, which took effect immediately.

According to state police, an internal investigation into Proctor’s conduct is ongoing.

Monday’s hearing followed his brutal testimony in the Read case, during which crude and degrading text messages he sent about Read were entered into the record. In the messages, Proctor called Read a “nutcase,” joked about an illness she had and said he wished Read would kill herself.

Read’s defense attorneys also questioned him extensively about his investigations.

Monday’s hearing was held virtually and, like all duty status hearings, was not open to the public. According to a State Police spokesman, an officer must undergo a hearing in any disciplinary action that can result in him continuing full duty, being restricted or being suspended with or without pay.

Read is accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, by hitting him with her SUV and leaving him dead in the snow. Her defense attorneys say she was framed and have pointed to sloppy police work in the case.

Last week, the judge declared the case vacated after jurors said they could not reach a unanimous verdict. Hours later, Proctor was relieved of his duties by the state police and given a desk job.