MSP supervisor finishes testimony in Read trial as jury learns more about SUV, ATF agent involved
After three days in the hot seat, Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik finished testifying Monday in the retrial of Karen Read.
Bukhenik was the supervisor in charge of the investigation into the death of John O'Keefe in January of 2022.
In his final line of questioning, defense attorney Alan Jackson asked if Bukhenik ever considered Brian Higgins, the ATF agent who exchanged flirtatious texts with Read, to be a possible suspect in O'Keefe's murder.
Leading up to that, Bukhenik held up O'Keefe's jeans and a picture of Read's Lexus SUV.
He says Read's right rear taillight was shattered when he and ex-trooper Michael Proctor had her SUV toward to the Canton Police Station.
Read's attorneys have long suggested the taillight was tampered with and pieces were brought back to the crime scene at 34 Fairview Road in Canton.
The jury learned more about Higgins over the course of Bukhenik's testimony on Monday.
In addition to the flirtatious texts, video of Higgins visiting the Canton Police station at 1:30 a.m. the night O'Keefe was killed was also played in court.
Jackson asked Bukhenik about the texts between Higgins and Read.
'Did you see in those text messages, in your mind, a motive that might lead to jealousy on the part of Brian Higgins?' Jackson asked.
'No,' Bukhenik replied.
'What about after drinking Jameson and ginger all night?' Jackson asked.
Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan objected to that line of questioning.
Bukhenik says he never considered Higgins to be a suspect because of the 'totality of evidence' he says State Police have that point to Karen Read killing O'Keefe.
Read did not speak to reporters leaving court.
The trial will resume Tuesday morning.
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Massachusetts leads the nation with second-highest rise in alcohol-impaired deaths, study says
A new study has found that Massachusetts leads the nation with the second highest rise in alcohol-impaired fatalities. Researchers with Nevada-based H&P Law analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System, the firm said in a statement. The study analyzed the rise and fall of alcohol-impaired traffic fatalities across all 50 U.S. states, using data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's 2023 report on motor vehicle crashes. By examining the proportion of alcohol-related deaths per 100 total crash fatalities in both 2022 and 2023, the study calculated the year-over-year percentage change in each state. 'This study highlights where DUI-related deaths are surging and where improvements have been made,' researchers said. Massachusetts ranks second with a more than 20% increase in alcohol-impaired fatalities, researchers said. The Bay State experienced 28.05 fatalities per 100 total deaths in 2022, which rose to 33.82 in 2023, 'highlighting a growing problem with impaired driving deaths,' researchers said. 'The findings from Massachusetts are a sobering reminder that alcohol-impaired driving continues to claim lives and leave lasting scars,' a spokesperson at H&P Law said in a statement. 'Behind every number is a family left grieving, a survivor facing a lifelong recovery, or a community grappling with loss.' 'When DUI fatalities rise instead of fall, it signals more than just a traffic safety issue — it's a deeper societal challenge,' the spokesman said. 'Massachusetts must prioritize stronger enforcement, harsher penalties for repeat offenders, and broader education to prevent these entirely avoidable tragedies.' The study comes about two weeks after an accused drunk driver was arraigned in connection with a fatal crash in Franklin over Memorial Day weekend that killed a 5-year-old girl and her mother. They were going to Blackstone for a family birthday party with other family members at the time of the crash. Minaben Patel, 38, of Franklin, died days after the May 24 crash that killed her daughter, Krisha Patel, 5, officials said. The driver accused in the fatal crash, James Blanchard, 21, of Franklin, was ordered held on $250,000 cash bail following his arraignment on May 27. A not guilty plea was entered on Blanchard's behalf. Blanchard is charged with motor vehicle homicide while driving negligently and under the influence of alcohol, three counts of driving under the influence of alcohol and causing serious bodily injury, negligent driving, driving a motor vehicle with an open container of alcohol, and marked lanes violation, the district attorney said. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
BB gun recovered at Charlestown High School graduation hosted at BC High
Boston police are investigating after a gun was recovered at Charlestown High School graduation hosted at BC High. According to police, the incident happened around 7:30 on Tuesday night at BC High. According to Boston Public Schools, the individual who had the gun was not a graduation student, but another individual attending the ceremony. Police have not said if any arrests were made in connection with the recovery of the gun. The incident is under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
USA Today
8 hours ago
- USA Today
Karen Read trial live updates: Final defense witness resumes testimony
Karen Read trial live updates: Final defense witness resumes testimony Show Caption Hide Caption Karen Read's second murder trial begins with new jury Karen Read is starting her second trial after being prosecuted for the 2022 death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, last year. The defense team's final witness returned to the stand Wednesday in Karen Read's murder retrial, as lawyers prepare to hand the case to jurors in the coming days. Andrew Rentschler, a biomechanist and accident reconstruction expert, is expected to testify about his analysis of what caused Boston police officer John O'Keefe's head, brain and body injuries. O'Keefe's was found lying frozen and unconscious underneath a pile of snow outside the home of another cop, Brian Albert, on Jan. 29, 2022. He had a skull fracture, cuts on his face, two black eyes and surface-level gashes along his right arm. Police later found red plastic pieces nearby and a broken cocktail glass near where his body was discovered. More: The dog did it? What to know about the German Shepherd tied to the Karen Read trial Read, 45, is accused of backing into O'Keefe, her boyfriend at the time, with her Lexus SUV while dropping him off at a house party after a night out drinking with friends and then leaving him to die outside in the middle of a historic blizzard. Prosecutors charged her with second-degree murder, vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and leaving the scene of a collision resulting in death. Her defense has said Read is the victim of an elaborate police conspiracy. They say law enforcement officers at the party beat O'Keefe, let a dog attack him, threw his body on the front lawn and then used their power to plant evidence and frame Read. So far, Read's defense team has called a snow plow driver who said he did not see O'Keefe's body outside the home at 34 Fairview Road; a friend who said the couple appeared 'very happy' at a bar the night before O'Keefe was found; and two forensic experts who said O'Keefe's wounds may have come from an animal attack. Read recently told local media outlets she does not plan to testify. The case is expected to head to the jury soon. Prosecution and defense attorneys told Judge Beverly Cannone they hope to wrap their arguments by Friday or Monday. This will be the second time a jury deliberates over Read's fate, after her first trial last year ended in a hung jury. CourtTV has been covering the case against Read and the criminal investigation since early 2022, when O'Keefe's body was found outside a Massachusetts home. You can watch CourtTV's live feed of the Read trial proceedings from Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts. Proceedings began at 9 a.m. ET.
