A Massachusetts State Police sergeant was pivotal in the investigation that led to Karen Read’s original mistrial on murder charges.
He testified on Thursday, revealing he initially suggested that John O’Keefe, a Boston cop, might have been struck in the face with a bar glass. This contradicts later allegations that Read hit O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die.
Investigators later arrested Read on charges of hit-and-run manslaughter after O’Keefe was found dead outside a Canton home in January 2022.
Prosecutors pressed further, eventually securing an indictment for second-degree murder. Defense attorney Alan Jackson questioned Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik about his early statements to the medical examiner.
During his testimony, Bukhenik admitted he informed the medical examiner’s office of the possibility that O’Keefe was hit with a cocktail glass.
“That is in part what I advised,” Bukhenik acknowledged, before being interrupted by Jackson. A brief sidebar followed, with Judge Beverly Cannone urging the sergeant to focus on answering questions directly.
In cross-examination, Jackson asked Bukhenik if he had contacted the medical examiner on the morning of January 29, 2022. Bukhenik confirmed he had, reiterating the possibility of O’Keefe being struck in the face with a glass. However, he admitted his exact words were not fully recalled.
Jackson then questioned the sergeant about securing the crime scene at the house where O’Keefe was found. Bukhenik’s response was that nothing was done. Jackson also raised concerns about key witnesses potentially lying about the events of that night.
Jennifer McCabe, one of the witnesses, testified in Read’s second trial. She claimed she saw Read’s vehicle outside the house after midnight but did not see Read or O’Keefe enter. However, Read told reporters she witnessed O’Keefe going inside.
When pressed for details, Read declined to elaborate on the specifics of how and when, though she hinted that prosecutor Hank Brennan might present evidence. Investigators discovered a broken glass and a black straw at the scene, along with O’Keefe’s missing sneaker.
This evidence, according to Bukhenik, supported the theory that O’Keefe was struck by a vehicle. On direct examination, Brennan asked Bukhenik if there was a term for such incidents in law enforcement. Bukhenik responded with the phrase, “Knocked out of your shoes.”
Another point in the investigation was Read’s broken taillight. Brennan presented Ring camera footage showing the light was damaged when Read left O’Keefe’s house early that morning. Bukhenik recalled questioning Read about the damage, to which she reportedly replied, “I don’t know how I did it last night.”
O’Keefe suffered significant facial and head injuries, along with cuts on his right arm, which Bukhenik observed at the hospital. Bukhenik, originally from Ukraine and a Marine Corps veteran, is expected to return to the stand as the trial continues.
