Date of Offense
Offense(s)
Statement
Former Canton Police Officer Kelly Dever's inclusion on the Brady List is warranted due to significant concerns regarding her credibility and reliability as a witness in the ongoing Karen Read murder trial. The Brady List is a tool used to track law enforcement officers whose actions may compromise their trustworthiness in legal proceedings, particularly when their testimony is critical to the prosecution's case.
Key Issues Supporting Inclusion:
- Inconsistent Testimony:
- In August 2023, Dever informed federal investigators that she observed ATF Agent Brian Higgins and former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz in the Canton Police Department's sally port with Karen Read's SUV. However, during her testimony in June 2025, Dever retracted this statement, attributing her earlier claim to a "false memory" influenced by media coverage. She acknowledged that she had left her shift before the SUV arrived, making it impossible for her to have witnessed the events she previously described.
- Allegations of External Pressure:
- Dever testified that members of Read's legal team pressured her to maintain her original statement, allegedly threatening her with perjury charges if she did not comply. While defense attorneys cannot file charges, such allegations raise concerns about the integrity of the interactions between legal representatives and witnesses.
- Lack of Preparedness and Clarity:
- During her court appearance, Dever expressed confusion about her role in the proceedings, stating, "I have no idea why I'm here." This lack of clarity and preparedness further undermines her reliability as a witness.
Conclusion:
The combination of Dever's contradictory statements, claims of external pressure, and apparent lack of preparedness suggest a compromised ability to provide consistent and reliable testimony. Such factors are critical in determining an officer's suitability for inclusion on the Brady List, as they directly impact the fairness and integrity of legal proceedings.
The US Citizen Reporters are a group of public and private defense advocates that scour the internet for documented incidents of police misconduct that have eluded accountability.
