Karen Read, who was acquitted of murder charges in the death of her police officer boyfriend, John O’Keefe, has filed a lawsuit against the Massachusetts State Police and the town of Canton. The lawsuit alleges misconduct and negligence in the investigation that led to her prosecution. Read was acquitted last June of second-degree murder, motor vehicle manslaughter while driving under the influence, and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. She was convicted only of operating under the influence of liquor.
In her lawsuit, Read’s attorneys argue that an "embedded culture of bigotry, misogynistic, systemic failures, and institutional rot" within the State Police and Canton Police Department led to her prosecution. The lawsuit comes after a series of revelations, including text messages exchanged between former investigators Michael Proctor and Sean Goode, which contained racist, misogynistic, and homophobic language. Proctor was fired, and Goode resigned after being placed on administrative leave.
Read has stated that she continues to receive widespread support from her community, including free meals and discounts, as she focuses on her legal case. She has also acknowledged criticism online but maintains that the support she receives outweighs the negative attention.
The lawsuit seeks to expose what Read’s legal team describes as institutional corruption within Massachusetts law enforcement. Her attorneys emphasize that the goal is not just financial compensation but also to bring attention to the alleged systemic issues within the police departments involved.