Acquitted Massachusetts Woman Sues, Says She Was Framed in Boyfriend’s Death

Karen Read, who was acquitted in June on charges related to the death of her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, has filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was the target of a deliberate frame-up to conceal how O’Keefe actually died.

Lawsuit and Allegations

Filed in Massachusetts, the complaint accuses former Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, two of his supervisors — Lt. Brian Tully and Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik — and several people who were at a home where Read says she last saw O’Keefe of conspiring to pin the death on Read. Read’s lawyers contend the group and certain investigators intentionally misdirected the probe and ignored evidence that would have pointed away from her.

What the Complaint Says

The suit alleges O’Keefe sustained dog-bite wounds and scratches to his right arm and an incapacitating wound to the back of his head after an altercation during a night of heavy drinking at the home of Nicole and Brian Albert. According to the filing, those present — including the Alberts, Jennifer and Matthew McCabe, and Brian Higgins, an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives — then moved O’Keefe’s body outside and made it appear as though he had been struck by a car.

"During that altercation, the Alberts’ German Shepherd attacked him and Mr. O’Keefe sustained multiple dog bites and scratches on his right arm," the complaint states.

Allegations Against Investigators

Read’s complaint alleges that Proctor had undisclosed personal ties to people connected to the Alberts, shared investigative details with family members tied to the household, and reassured witnesses they would not face scrutiny because of law-enforcement connections. The suit further claims Proctor and colleagues failed to search the house for blood, fingerprints, and DNA evidence related to the head wound.

Proctor is also accused of sending derogatory messages about Read and implying he would build a case against her. The complaint names Proctor’s supervisors, alleging they knew of his misconduct and failed to intervene.

Criminal Trials and Aftermath

Prosecutors originally charged Read with second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene of a collision after alleging she struck O’Keefe with her car and abandoned him. A state medical examiner found no evidence of a vehicular strike. After a hung jury in the first trial and a second trial, Read was acquitted in June of all charges.

Following internal review, state police disciplined or reassigned supervisors and terminated Proctor. The lawsuit notes those disciplinary actions and seeks to hold the named defendants civilly liable.

Responses and Next Steps

An attorney for Lt. Tully has said the client looks forward to participating in a civil trial and disputes any allegation that he participated in a conspiracy. Attorneys for other defendants did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and it is unclear whether all named individuals have retained counsel.

Claims and Damages

Read’s complaint seeks a jury trial on claims including malicious prosecution, supervisory liability, conspiracy to deprive civil rights, violations of the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and civil conspiracy. It says the alleged framing had a profound impact on Read’s life, costing her employment, income, her professorship, private health insurance, her car and driver’s license, her home, and her personal and professional reputation. The suit does not specify a dollar amount, asking the jury to determine damages at trial.