Murder Cases Intertwine: Read Faces New Trial Amid Walshe Investigation

DEDHAM, Mass. — Karen Read, a former finance professional, is scheduled for a retrial starting April 1, 2024, accused of murdering her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, who was found dead in the snow after a night of drinking. Read’s defense claims the prosecution is part of an elaborate scheme to frame her for the death, which occurred on January 29, 2022.

In a twist of fate, Read’s case is being investigated by Michael Proctor, a Massachusetts state trooper whose professional conduct has come under scrutiny in both Read’s trial and that of another suspect, Brian Walshe, who is accused of murdering his wife, Ana Walshe, on January 1, 2023. Ana Walshe has been missing since that date, and authorities allege that Brian dismembered her body.

Read’s retrial follows a previous trial that ended in a hung jury, marred by Proctor’s controversial behavior, including unprofessional text messages. In those messages, Proctor disparaged Read, calling her derogatory names, and expressed a wish that she would harm herself. His conduct led to a suspension without pay from the Massachusetts State Police.

Prosecutors in the Read case revealed that they do not intend to call Proctor as a witness in the upcoming trial, despite defense attorneys arguing that he played a significant role in the investigation. Defense attorney Larry Tipton expressed concerns over the integrity of both investigations, stressing that Read deserves to address potential biases stemming from Proctor’s involvement.

“The defendant has a right to show that the investigation has flaws in it,” Tipton told the court. “What we’re hearing from the government is they don’t want to call Proctor the case officer. It’s because Proctor, along with the other troopers he worked with, seemed to be engaged … in this type of professional misconduct.”

In light of these developments, the Commonwealth has continued to maintain its position regarding Proctor’s role, suggesting that his involvement in actionable evidence collection was minimal.

Meanwhile, the Walshe case unfolds amid speculation that the Massachusetts State Police investigators could have biases that affect their current cases. In his recent trial, Brian Walshe faces allegations of murdering and dismembering Ana Walshe, with evidence suggesting he made multiple online searches related to human remains disposal using their son’s iPad.

Ana Walshe, who worked as a real estate executive, disappeared after leaving her home, prompting an urgent search and significant media coverage which only intensified after her husband was charged with her murder.

The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office has declined to comment on any potential ties between the investigations, stating, “Despite the speculation surrounding both cases, confidentiality in legal matters remains a priority.”

As the retrial approaches, both Read and Walshe’s cases will continue to be scrutinized by media and public, with ongoing discussions about the underlying implications regarding police conduct and professional ethics.

Read is expected back in court for a motions hearing on February 18, while Brian Walshe’s trial is set to begin on October 21, 2023. Their cases reflect a complicated tapestry of tragic events interwoven through a flawed investigative process, raising questions about the pursuit of justice in Massachusetts.