Attorney Calls for Investigation into Boston Police Commissioner Over Alleged False Statements

Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox is under fire for allegedly making false statements about his involvement in the high-profile Karen Read case, according to a strongly worded letter from Read’s attorney to city officials.

Attorney Alan Jackson, who successfully defended Read against murder charges in the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, sent the scathing letter to Boston Mayor Michelle Wu on October 27. In it, Jackson accused Cox of “lying” when he claimed to have no connection to Read’s case.

“Boston Police Commissioner Michael Cox has been caught in a lie — and not a small one,” Jackson wrote in the letter. The attorney contends that Cox falsely denied knowing that Boston Police Officer Kelly Dever was involved in the case, despite evidence suggesting otherwise.

Read was acquitted in June after being accused of striking and killing O’Keefe, her boyfriend at the time, with her SUV outside a Canton home in January 2022 following a night of drinking. Her first trial ended in a mistrial, but a second jury found her not guilty of second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. She was convicted only of operating a vehicle under the influence and received a sentence of one year of probation.

At the center of Jackson’s accusations is Cox’s claim that he had “nothing to do with” Read’s case. Jackson argues this assertion “defies both logic and leadership,” particularly since O’Keefe was a Boston police officer. “Common sense tells us he had everything to do with it,” Jackson stated, though it’s worth noting that Cox’s predecessor, Gregory Long, was Boston’s police commissioner when O’Keefe died.

Jackson’s letter details specific evidence he believes contradicts Cox’s statements. According to the attorney, the FBI sent Cox an email in February 2024 regarding Officer Dever, who had worked patrol as a Canton police officer the night before O’Keefe’s death. Jackson claims Cox subsequently had a meeting with Dever that was noted on his official calendar, directly contradicting Cox’s later denial of involvement.

These alleged falsehoods amount to what Jackson called “a bald-faced lie.” The attorney is calling for an investigation into Cox for “dishonesty, lack of candor, and conduct unbecoming of an officer” under department policy. Jackson has also recommended that Cox be placed on the “Brady list,” a database of law enforcement officers with documented histories of misconduct that prosecutors must disclose to defense attorneys.

The Read case garnered significant media attention across Massachusetts and New England, highlighting tensions between police accountability and criminal justice. The allegations against Cox now add another layer of complexity to a case that has already raised questions about police conduct and investigative practices.

Neither Commissioner Cox nor Mayor Wu immediately responded to requests for comment on Jackson’s allegations. The lack of response leaves open questions about how the city will address these serious accusations against its top law enforcement official.

The implications of this dispute extend beyond the individuals involved. Trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve depends largely on transparency and accountability. Allegations of dishonesty from high-ranking officials can undermine this trust, particularly in cases involving fellow officers.

As this story develops, many will be watching how Boston’s leadership responds to these accusations and whether they will prompt a formal investigation into Commissioner Cox’s statements regarding the Karen Read case.