The Karen Read retrial has captured national attention, with every courtroom revelation dissected in real time. Central to the latest proceedings is the key phrase: Kelly Dever Karen Read. As the defense builds its case, the focus has shifted to the conduct of investigators—especially former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor—and the testimony of current and former law enforcement, including Kelly Dever. The trial’s most recent days have seen explosive evidence, heated legal arguments, and a pivotal ruling on the admissibility of Proctor’s offensive texts.
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The Role of Kelly Dever in the Karen Read Retrial
On Day 25 of the Karen Read retrial, Kelly Dever, a current Boston police officer and former Canton patrolman, took the stand. Dever’s testimony comes at a crucial juncture, as the defense seeks to highlight potential investigative bias and procedural missteps in the case against Karen Read. Read, a 45-year-old Mansfield resident, stands accused of killing her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, by allegedly striking him with her Lexus SUV and leaving him outside in a blizzard in January 2022.
Dever’s appearance is significant because she did not testify in the first trial, making her insights and recollections new territory for both the court and the public. Her testimony follows that of Jonathan Diamandis, a longtime friend of Michael Proctor, who authenticated a series of crude and disparaging text messages Proctor sent about Read during the investigation. These messages, now a focal point, are being introduced through witnesses like Diamandis and Dever rather than Proctor himself, who will not be called by the defense this time.
The Michael Proctor Texts: A Turning Point
The key phrase Kelly Dever Karen Read has become synonymous with the controversy surrounding Michael Proctor’s conduct. Proctor, who led the initial investigation into O’Keefe’s death, was fired in March 2025—not for the offensive texts, but for unrelated reasons. However, his texts, which branded Read with derogatory terms and expressed hopes for her self-harm, have become central to the defense’s argument of investigative bias.
Judge Beverly Cannone’s recent ruling allows these texts to be presented as evidence without Proctor’s direct testimony. This decision followed intense debate, with the prosecution arguing that only Proctor could properly authenticate his messages, while the defense insisted that recipients of the texts could do so. The court ultimately sided with the defense, enabling witnesses like Diamandis and Dever to read the texts aloud and explain their context.
The content of these messages is deeply personal and inflammatory. Proctor referred to Read as a “whack job,” a “nutbag,” and used other offensive language. He even mocked her medical condition, Crohn’s disease, and expressed a wish that she would kill herself. These revelations have not only shocked the courtroom but also raised broader questions about professionalism and impartiality within the investigative team.
Legal and Public Fallout: Impact on the Karen Read Case
The introduction of Proctor’s texts has dramatically altered the landscape of the Karen Read retrial. Defense attorneys argue that the messages demonstrate a clear bias against Read, undermining the credibility of the investigation and potentially tainting the evidence collected. The prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan, has fought to keep the texts out, emphasizing that Proctor’s personal opinions should not overshadow the physical and forensic evidence pointing to Read’s guilt.
Meanwhile, the public and media have seized on the spectacle of law enforcement’s internal communications being aired in open court. The families of those involved, including Proctor’s, have spoken out, decrying what they see as a campaign to distract from the facts of the case. Yet, for many observers, the texts highlight the human flaws and emotional volatility that can influence even the most high-profile investigations.
What’s Next for Kelly Dever, Karen Read, and the Retrial?
As the defense continues its case, all eyes remain on the courtroom. Kelly Dever’s testimony, along with that of other key witnesses, will play a crucial role in shaping the jury’s perception of both the investigation and the defendant. The admissibility of Michael Proctor’s texts marks a turning point, ensuring that the conduct of those tasked with finding the truth is itself subject to scrutiny.
- Further cross-examination of witnesses who received or discussed Proctor’s texts.
- Testimony from Dr. Marie Russell, who is expected to challenge the prosecution’s narrative by suggesting O’Keefe’s injuries could have resulted from a dog attack.
- Continued debate over the weight and relevance of the offensive texts versus the physical evidence.
The outcome of the Karen Read retrial may hinge not just on what happened the night John O’Keefe died, but on how the investigation was conducted—and whether the jury believes that bias or misconduct played a role.
Stay tuned as we continue to follow the latest developments in the Kelly Dever Karen Read story. The next days in court promise more revelations, analysis, and, ultimately, a verdict that will resonate far beyond the walls of Norfolk Superior Court.
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