Paula Borrows

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Wondery Plus subscribers can binge all episodes of Karen early and ad-free right now. Join Wondery Plus in the Wondery app, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

From Law & Crime, I'm Paula Borrows, and this is Karen. It would be an understatement to say that Michael Proctor's reputation preceded him. He was arguably the most anticipated and buzzworthy witness in the case of the Commonwealth versus Karen Reed.

From Law & Crime, I'm Paula Borrows, and this is Karen. It would be an understatement to say that Michael Proctor's reputation preceded him. He was arguably the most anticipated and buzzworthy witness in the case of the Commonwealth versus Karen Reed.

In the two years leading up to this moment, Proctor had been portrayed by the defense and their supporters as the central figure in the cover-up theory, accused of planting and tampering with evidence, having close ties to the Albert family, and harboring a bias against Karen Reid.

In the two years leading up to this moment, Proctor had been portrayed by the defense and their supporters as the central figure in the cover-up theory, accused of planting and tampering with evidence, having close ties to the Albert family, and harboring a bias against Karen Reid.

And after being invoked in multiple reports and testimonies, on June 10th, day 22 of the trial, prosecutor Adam Lally called him to the stand in an attempt to clear his name. In the witness box, donning a navy blue suit, you got a sense that Proctor knew all eyes were on him.

And after being invoked in multiple reports and testimonies, on June 10th, day 22 of the trial, prosecutor Adam Lally called him to the stand in an attempt to clear his name. In the witness box, donning a navy blue suit, you got a sense that Proctor knew all eyes were on him.

In an attempt to loosen him up, Lally began the direct examination with basics from the early days of the investigation. Proctor describes seeing John O'Keefe's body for the first time in the emergency room.

In an attempt to loosen him up, Lally began the direct examination with basics from the early days of the investigation. Proctor describes seeing John O'Keefe's body for the first time in the emergency room.

After observing John at Good Samaritan Hospital, Proctor and Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukenik then made their way to Dighton to interview Karen at her parents' home. That's when he first observed the alleged murder weapon, Karen's SUV.

After observing John at Good Samaritan Hospital, Proctor and Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukenik then made their way to Dighton to interview Karen at her parents' home. That's when he first observed the alleged murder weapon, Karen's SUV.

Karen's car was put on a tow truck for transfer to the Sally Port garage, where the defense had previously alleged Proctor and Buchanek tampered with the taillight. With that allegation in mind, Lally got right in front of it.

Karen's car was put on a tow truck for transfer to the Sally Port garage, where the defense had previously alleged Proctor and Buchanek tampered with the taillight. With that allegation in mind, Lally got right in front of it.

While Proctor claimed to have never come into physical contact with the SUV, another piece of evidence was seized that day he wouldn't be able to deny having his hands all over.

While Proctor claimed to have never come into physical contact with the SUV, another piece of evidence was seized that day he wouldn't be able to deny having his hands all over.

Suddenly, Proctor's direct examination took a hard pivot. His opportunity to settle the score on the allegedly botched investigation would soon be fully eclipsed by a nearly two-day deep dive into what came after getting that warrant signed off.

Suddenly, Proctor's direct examination took a hard pivot. His opportunity to settle the score on the allegedly botched investigation would soon be fully eclipsed by a nearly two-day deep dive into what came after getting that warrant signed off.

In an ironic turn of events, Karen's phone wasn't the one on trial, and Lally made both a bold and curious choice to dive headfirst into the suggestion made in the defense's opening remarks.

In an ironic turn of events, Karen's phone wasn't the one on trial, and Lally made both a bold and curious choice to dive headfirst into the suggestion made in the defense's opening remarks.