Karen Read Files Lawsuit Against Massachusetts Police Over Death of Husband

Thu Jun 04 2026 18:47:18 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Karen Read accuses the Massachusetts State Police and the town of Canton of misconduct and negligence in the investigation that led to her wrongful prosecution.

Read has sued state police and local officials, alleging a culture of bias, bigotry, and failure to properly train and supervise officers. The case highlights alleged misconduct by lead investigator Michael Proctor and former Canton Sergeant Sean Goode.

Karen Read Files Lawsuit Against Massachusetts Police Over Death of Husband

On Thursday, Karen Read filed a civil suit in Bristol County Superior Court against the Massachusetts State Police and the town of Canton. She claims that the investigation that resulted in her being prosecuted for the death of her Boston Police Department officer boyfriend was plagued by misconduct, negligence, and a deep‑rooted culture of bias.

Read’s lawsuit cites her acquittal last June—following more than three years and two trials—after prosecutors alleged she had hit Officer John O’Keefe with her SUV during a snow‑storm party. The defense argued that O’Keefe was actually killed by colleagues who covered up the incident. Read’s lawyers contend that the investigation was marred by racism, sexism, and systemic failures that led her to be framed and prosecuted unjustly.

The complaint focuses heavily on the investigation’s lead officer, Michael Proctor, who was found guilty of sending “crude and defamatory” text messages to Read while leading the case. Proctor was fired by the Massachusetts State Police, and Read’s supporters say his conduct contributed to a broader cover‑up.

In addition to Proctor, the suit names former Canton Police Sergeant Sean Goode. Goode had been put on leave in November 2025 after allegations of misconduct surfaced, and he resigned earlier this week. Read argues that the alleged harassment of her by both men reflects a systemic failure in oversight by state and local law enforcement.

The town of Canton and its police department have not yet responded to media requests for comment on the lawsuit. Read’s case brings renewed scrutiny to issues of police bias, training, and supervisory practices in the Massachusetts region. The suit will allegedly pursue damages for wrongful imprisonment, emotional distress, and violation of civil rights.

For more details on the acquittal and trial proceedings, see the Associated Press stories: “Karen Read acquitted” (June 2022), “Read walked out of court a free woman” (May 2023) and “Read’s defense” (April 2024). The investigative details of Proctor’s conduct are reported in “Lead investigator”.

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