After a mistrial was declared in the case of Karen Read, state police have announced that Trooper Michael Proctor has been relieved of his duty. The mistrial was declared during a court hearing in which Proctor was a key witness. Proctor had testified that he saw Read driving erratically on the highway, leading to her arrest on charges of driving under the influence. However, new evidence came to light that cast doubt on Proctor’s testimony, resulting in the mistrial.
In their statement, state police cited Proctor’s conduct during the trial as the reason for his dismissal. They did not provide further details on what specific actions led to their decision. Proctor had been with the state police for several years and had a clean record prior to this incident.
The mistrial has raised questions about the integrity of the state police and their handling of similar cases. Some have criticized the lack of oversight and accountability within the department, calling for a thorough investigation into Proctor’s conduct and the circumstances surrounding Read’s arrest.
In response to the mistrial and Proctor’s dismissal, Read’s lawyer has stated that they will be seeking to have the charges against her dropped entirely. They argue that Proctor’s credibility has been called into question, making his testimony unreliable. They also plan to pursue legal action against the state police for their handling of the case.
Overall, the mistrial and Proctor’s dismissal have raised concerns about the trustworthiness of law enforcement in the state. It remains to be seen what further actions will be taken in response to this incident.
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