The high-profile Karen Read murder trial ran the Massachusetts State Police hundreds of thousands of dollars in costs, largely in overtime pay, as uniformed troopers provided security outside Norfolk Superior Court.
On Thursday, 25 Investigates obtained payroll records in response to a public records request that showed that the final security bill for Massachusetts taxpayers came to $258,278, including $208,113 in overtime costs.
The data showed troopers were paid 806 hours of regular pay for $50,166 and 2,263 hours of overtime pay for $208,112.
Troopers were stationed at the Dedham courthouse for each day of the eight-week trial, which attracted large crowds of demonstrators.
The large presence of troopers was tasked with monitoring supporters of Read and protesters. They also directed traffic and were assigned to patrols outside the court.
Troopers and civilian employees were also paid more than $9,000 for the time they spent testifying during the trial and for their preparation, the data showed.