District Attorney Michael Morrissey Fires Back Against Karen Read Defense Allegations

In a lengthy Aug. 25, 2023, video statement, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrissey denied that any fight occurred within the Albert home on the night O’Keefe died. Eleven people had given statements saying they did not see the officer enter the house, he said, and “zero people” said they saw go inside. Data from O’Keefe’s phone that was found under his body, Morrissey said, “shows that his phone did not enter that home.”

Accusing any of the witnesses of murder was “outrageous,” the prosecutor added. Moreover, he said, Proctor had no opportunity to plant evidence nor motive to do so. (Read has said that she cracked her taillight pulling out of the garage to go look for O’Keefe, but alleged it was smashed only after her vehicle was in police custody.) Proctor didn’t have a “close personal relationship” with anyone involved in the investigation, Morrissey said, and “every suggestion to the contrary is a lie.”

Prosecutor Lally argued against a defense motion to obtain records of texts, calls and social media message between Proctor’s wife and Brian Albert’s sister-in-law Jennifer McCabe, one of the people with Read when O’Keefe’s body was found. Lally said during a January 2024 court hearing, “As the Commonwealth understands it, Trooper Proctor has a sister, who has a friend, who has a sister, who has a husband, who has a brother, who has a wife, who has a sister who is Jennifer McCabe.”