Massachusetts

State police detective to resume testimony in Karen Read trial: Watch live at 9 a.m.

June 13, 2024 by

The Karen Read murder trial is getting more explosive by the day. It resumes Thursday, after the testimony of one Massachusetts State Police trooper shocked everyone watching.

As the lead investigator in this case, trooper Michael Proctor’s text messages have become an unusual focus of his testimony.

From declaring almost from the start of the investigation over text that homeowner and fellow cop Brian Albert “didn’t do anything wrong” without going in his home – to saying about defendant Read that they’re “going to lock this whack job up” and that “hopefully she kills herself” – Proctor has been under fire.

Watch the Karen Read trial live on nbcboston.com, NECN, NBC Boston streaming platforms (including Roku, Peacock and Samsung TV) and NBC10 Boston’s YouTube page. Every night of the trial at 7 p.m., come back for analysis and more.

Email questions to canton.confidential@nbcuni.com.

His personal text messages to his friends, colleagues and supervisors have seemed to even overshadow the evidence in this case, calling into question whether his personal opinions had any bearing on the integrity of his investigation into Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe’s death.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson hammering home that point as he wrapped up his cross examination of Proctor on Wednesday.

“(Expletive) That was the word, figure of speech you used, right?” asked Jackson.

“Correct,” responded Proctor.

“A girl who (expletive) herself, right?” said Jackson.

“Correct,” said Proctor.

“And then (expletive) her. Correct?” asked Jackson.

“Correct,” replied Proctor.

“To pin it on the girl, who’s just a whack job (expletive) you hope just kills herself, right?” said Jackson. “Shame on you, sir.”

Detective Lt. Brian Tully, a lieutenant with state police since 2021 and deployed in the Norfolk District Attorney’s Office for 12 years, was next on the stand and testified that he reported Proctor’s conduct to his supervisors. He continues on the stand Thursday.

Lead investigator in Karen Read trial finishes testimony, supervisor takes stand

Karen Read

Jun 11

‘Compromising integrity’: Fallout from Michael Proctor’s texts about Karen Read

Hot and sunny Thursday, with humidity and strong thunderstorms to end workweek

June 13, 2024 by

Summer heat returns to the forecast Thursday. Highs soar back to the mid and upper 80s with a solid dose of humidity. We’re rain-free Thursday with the thunder threat focused on Friday.

It’s an interesting forecast Friday. Thunder will …

Chestnut Hill shopping plaza opens massive expansion: Here’s a closer look at some of its 25 shops

June 13, 2024 by

The Street shopping center in Chestnut Hill will open a 90,000 square-foot addition on Thursday with what’ll eventually be more than 25 retailers.

Among the brands are the newly announced jewelry store Mejuri and the clothing retailer Todd Snyder….

Newton arts center receives bomb threat before Pride event

June 12, 2024 by

A small arts center in Newton, Massachusetts, received a bomb threat less than an hour before a Pride event was set to begin.

New Art Center Executive Director Emily O’Neil says she believes the threat was made outside the country, with a drag queen story hour being the catalyst.

The email read, “New Art Center … at 11 am will go boom. Bombs placed on the rooftops.”

It’s the first bomb threat the New Art Center has received in its 47-year history, but drag story times have been a focus for anti-trans groups in recent years.

“I think it’s kind of a touchpoint for people who want to express hate,” said Reggie Woolery, deputy director of education at the New Art Center.

O’Neil immediately called police, who told everyone to evacuate. The Newton Fire Department searched the slate roof of the building – a church from the 1870s.

“We had a really short time frame to figure it out, from the time we got the threat to the time that people were supposed to be in the building celebrating pride,” O’Neil said.

Police ultimately cleared the art center, saying there was no need to cancel Sunday’s event.

“‘Bomb’ is a word that we easily could have just not had the event,” Woolery said. “We felt that we were safe and that we could go on with the event, and I love that.”

While some chose to leave, about 30 families stayed for Storytime with Missy Steak.

“My staff members and Missy Steak, who was here to perform, all felt that putting ourselves forward and having this event and saying no to hatred was the right thing to do,” O’Neil said.

Police say the investigation into the bomb threat is ongoing.