In a significant legal development, Karen Read has filed a civil lawsuit against both the Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton, alleging misconduct and bias among investigators involved in the investigation of her boyfriend, John O’Keefe’s death. This lawsuit, submitted to Bristol County Superior Court on June 4, 2023, follows Read’s acquittal on murder charges in June 2025, after a tumultuous legal battle concerning O’Keefe’s untimely demise.
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Read claims that the police agencies in question were negligent in their hiring, training, and supervision of investigators, alleging that their biases adversely influenced the inquiry into O’Keefe’s death. The complaint alleges that the investigators—the now-former State Trooper Michael Proctor and ex-Canton Police Sergeant Sean Goode—held views characterised as racist, misogynistic, and anti-LGBTQ, thereby rendering them unsuitable to lead such a high-profile investigation.
A substantial part of Read’s filing reportedly contains numerous text messages allegedly exchanged between Proctor and Goode, which she contends provide evidence of long-standing prejudices. These messages, spanning several years, include derogatory remarks about women and minorities, raising serious concerns regarding the integrity of the investigation that sought to establish Read’s culpability.
In one instance, Proctor allegedly made demeaning comments about women, likening them to “thick pigs” and discussing the need for drugs to find companionship. In another alarming claim, he referenced a graphic fantasy in which a woman would meet a gruesome end at the hands of insects. Within hours of O’Keefe’s death, Proctor allegedly denigrated Read with slurs, adding that she had “zero chance [of] skating” through the situation.
The lawsuit goes further, alleging that Proctor made offensive comments regarding a multi-car accident that involved a Black individual, stating that he would not “rush” to assist, insinuating indifference towards the victims based on their race. The texts allegedly include a multitude of slurs directed at various ethnic, religious, and sexual orientation groups, which Read’s legal team claims highlights a cultural problem within the investigative teams.
Remarkably, the complaint mentions a time in 2017 when Proctor allegedly expressed disbelief that he had passed a background check. This raises questions regarding the competency and character evaluations made by his superiors. Read’s attorneys assert that the prejudiced attitudes revealed in the texts should have been known to departmental supervisors, especially given the serious nature of their roles in significant investigations.
Furthermore, the lawsuit claims that the investigators ignored pivotal evidence which might suggest O’Keefe sustained injuries inside the Canton residence he visited the night of his death. Instead, they purportedly focused on gathering evidence to support claims that Read had intentionally struck O’Keefe with her vehicle before leaving him for dead in the winter conditions.
This suit comes on the heels of another recent complaint filed by individuals associated with that fateful gathering, including Jennifer McCabe and Brian Albert. They have accused Read and a blogger of engaging in harassment and disseminating false claims regarding their involvement in O’Keefe’s death. These parties have denied any participation and have claimed that their reputations have been damaged as a result.
O’Keefe, a Boston police officer, was discovered unresponsive outside a Canton home in January 2022 after reportedly attending a party there. Initial allegations from prosecutors suggested that Read struck him with her vehicle and did not render assistance. However, during her trials, Read contended that she was the victim of a cover-up by law enforcement.
After enduring two trials, Read was acquitted of murder charges and other serious allegations, although she faced a conviction for operating under the influence. As the saga continues to unfold, Read’s recent legal actions appear to protest not only her own treatment during the investigation but also to demand accountability and reform within the police departments involved.
The Massachusetts State Police and the Town of Canton have not issued public comments in light of the claims and ongoing litigation. As the trial progresses, the implications of alleged biases and misconduct among law enforcement personnel remain under scrutiny.