The disciplinary trial board hearing for Mass State Police Trooper Michael Proctor, who’s suspended for his offensive texts about murder defendant Karen Read, will drag on for several more weeks, at least.

Proctor — who in texts called Read a “whack job” and a “babe,” and texted “No nudes so far” to colleagues while searching her phone, and wrote “Hopefully she kills herself” — was suspended without pay following the first Read trial last year. He remains relieved of duty and suspended without pay, according to State Police.

After State Police finished its internal affairs investigation, the department convened a trial board as the next step in the disciplinary process. The trial board is out of the public’s eye, as Proctor could face permanent discipline.

The first day of Proctor’s trial board hearing was in mid-January. The proceedings resumed on Monday at State Police general headquarters in Framingham where they continued without a decision.

“The proceedings will continue for Day 3 on Thursday, March 13,” an MSP spokesperson said in a statement after the hearing on Monday. “Should the trial board need an additional day, the proceedings will continue on Friday, March 14.”

At the end of any IA investigation, the department may pursue charges that would be adjudicated by a State Police Trial Board. The board makes disciplinary recommendations to the superintendent, who determines the final outcome.

“A State Police Trial Board shall hear cases regarding violations of Rules, Regulations, Policies, Procedures, Orders, or Directives,” reads the Department’s Rules and Regulations.

“The Trial Board shall enter a determination of ‘Guilty’ or ‘Not Guilty’ for each charge/specification,” the rules and regulations state. “In the event that the Trial Board finds guilt by a preponderance of the evidence on one or more of the charges, the Trial Board shall consider the evidence presented by the Department prosecutor pertaining to the accused member’s prior offenses/disciplinary history, and shall make recommendations for administrative action.”

The trial board forwards its findings to the Lieutenant Colonel/Deputy Superintendent.

“In the event the Trial Board finds the member not guilty, such finding shall be final and conclusive, except as otherwise provided by law,” reads the rules and regulations.

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The department relieved Proctor of duty on July 1, the very same day a mistrial was declared in the Read case.  Proctor was transferred from the Norfolk DA’s Detective Unit to field services though he was ineligible to work. The State Police convened a duty status hearing, and suspended him without pay effective July 8.