Canton Police Officer Placed on Leave Amidst Karen Read Investigation
ICARO Media Group
In a surprising announcement during the Canton Select Board meeting on Tuesday night, it was revealed that Canton police officer Kevin Albert has been placed on paid administrative leave. The decision by Canton Police Chief Helena Rafferty was made last month in relation to the testimony provided by Massachusetts State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the Karen Read case.
Kevin Albert, brother of Brian Albert who owns the home where John O'Keefe was found dead in January 2022, has been under scrutiny due to his involvement in the case. The Canton Select Board members confirmed that Albert is now on leave because of his actions during a case he worked on with Trooper Michael Proctor two years ago. However, the specific details of the case were not disclosed.
According to Michael Loughran, chair of the Select Board, Albert has been on leave since June 13th and will remain so until the results of the investigation by an outside independent investigator are provided. The decision to place Albert on leave came in the wake of Trooper Proctor's recent testimony in the Read trial, where defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Proctor about a text exchange he had with Kevin Albert on January 30, 2022, the day after John O'Keefe's body was discovered in Brian Albert's yard.
During his testimony on June 12th, Trooper Proctor admitted to discussing the investigation with Kevin Albert through text messages but did not address the potential impropriety of their communications due to Albert's familial connection to the case. Proctor further revealed that he and Kevin Albert had gone out for drinks in July 2022, and Albert accidentally left his badge in Proctor's cruiser. This incident was brought to light when Proctor messaged Albert about the forgotten badge the following morning.
Karen Read is currently on trial for allegedly hitting and killing John O'Keefe with her SUV during a snowstorm on January 29, 2022. Read's defense attorneys claim that there has been a cover-up by multiple individuals, including law enforcement. The trial recently ended in a mistrial after a closely divided jury failed to reach a verdict.
In addition to Kevin Albert, Trooper Proctor has also faced consequences for his involvement in the Read case. Proctor has been suspended without pay after it was discovered that he had sent offensive texts about Read to his colleagues, family, and friends during the investigation.
Brian Albert, brother of Kevin Albert, testified in the Read trial and claimed that O'Keefe never entered his home that night. However, Kevin Albert himself did not testify during the trial.
Towards the end of the meeting, Select Board member Chris Albert, another brother of Kevin and Brian, issued a public apology. Chris Albert, who also served as a witness in the Read trial, expressed regret for his inappropriate interactions concerning the case, citing the higher standards expected of elected officials.
The suspension of Trooper Proctor has raised concerns among supporters of Karen Read, with some calling for his termination. The State Police union has labeled the decision to suspend Proctor without pay as "disappointing," while Read supporter Rita Lombardi urged for the removal of all individuals like Proctor from the policing system.
As the investigation into Kevin Albert's actions continues, the town of Canton remains caught in the midst of the ongoing Karen Read case, bracing for further revelations and the potential impact on the pursuit of justice.