Latest news with #Bukhenik
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Yahoo
Karen Read trial updates: 'Unavoidable circumstances' derail day 15
Witness testimony in the second murder trial of Karen Read will not occur on May 13 as expected, a court spokesperson announced. The trial of the Massachusetts woman accused of hitting her police officer boyfriend with her SUV and leaving him for dead was expected to enter its 15th day, but "unavoidable circumstances" paused the court proceedings, Jennifer Donahue, a spokesperson for Massachusetts state courts, said in an email without providing additional details. Prosecutors were expected to call their next witness after Massachusetts State Trooper Yuri Bukhenik wrapped up his testimony on May 12 following three days on the stand. He told the court that her broken taillight led police to suspect 45-year-old Read of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Office John O'Keefe, with her Lexus. Additionally, Bukhenik, a witness for the prosecution, said he was told by first responders at the scene that Read had said "I hit him," referring to O'Keefe. This alleged admission, along with the taillight, went on to "form the case" police had put together against Read, Bukhenik said. Prosecutors say Read deliberately hit O'Keefe, 46, outside the home of a fellow cop and left him for dead in a drunken rage. Read's lawyers say she was framed for O'Keefe's murder and, in opening statements, said the investigation was riddled with error, bias, incompetence and deceit. Her first trial in 2024 ended in a hung jury. In response to Bukheinik's testimony, Read's defense attorney launched a tense cross-examination and grilled Bukhenik about the integrity of his investigation and his former subordinate, Michael Proctor, who sent crude text messages during the case and was fired in March for unrelated reasons. Read's case in Norfolk County, Massachusetts, has turned into a yearslong whodunnit legal saga that has captivated true-crime fans across the country, spurring an array of podcasts, movies, and television shows. Her trial has drawn supporters from both sides of the case and led Judge Beverly Cannone to issue an order barring people from demonstrating within 200 feet of the courthouse. The first full day of testimony began April 23. Cannone estimated the trial could last between six and eight weeks. It's unclear how many additional witnesses will testify. (This story has been updated to add new information.) Contributing: Michael Loria and N'dea Yancey-Bragg This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Karen Read trial: Day 15 plans derailed by sudden postponement
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Yahoo
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
Yahoo
10-05-2025
- Yahoo
Flirtatious texts between Karen Read, ATF agent, read aloud in court on day 13 of retrial
A Massachusetts State Police supervisor read flirtatious text messages Karen Read exchanged with an ATF agent to the jury in her murder trial on Friday. The case against Karen Read is not cut and dry. On Friday, defense attorney Alan Jackson asked State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik about all the evidence that could be viewed as favorable to Read. Jackson had Bukhenik on the stand the entire day. Read made a quick exit after a long day in court. Bukhenik read aloud texts Read and Brian Higgins shared in the weeks before Read's then boyfriend John O'Keefe was killed. Jackson asked Bukhenik for his take on the messages. 'My opinion is that she's trying to get revenge,' he said. 'She's trying to hook up with Higgins and then hurt John by cheating on him.' Jackson told the jury Read had ignored Higgins at a Canton bar hours before O'Keefe was killed. O'Keefe's body was found outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton in January 2022. At the time, the family that lived there owned a German Shephard name Chloe. Bukhenik testified Chloe is alive and well with a new name and home. 'I traveled to the dog's home and assisted with identifying the dog,' Bukhenik said. The jury learned 'Chloe's' name has been changed to 'Cora'. Where Cora now lives was not discussed. On her way out of court, Read told reporters that fired State Trooper Michael Proctor will not be called by the prosecution. The defense can call Proctor and likely will. The trial resumes on Monday. For a full recap of the trial's happenings this week, Ted Daniels spoke with Peter Tragos, also known as 'the lawyer you know' online. Head over to the Boston 25 News Youtube page for that full interview. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
