Read Trial: Sergeant Testifies to Initial Theory of Bar Glass Injury in O’Keefe Death

The Karen Read murder trial continued Thursday with a significant moment as Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik, a key figure in the investigation into John O’Keefe’s death, took the stand. Bukhenik’s testimony revealed that early in the investigation, he had informed other authorities about the possibility that O’Keefe may have been struck in the face with a bar glass, potentially causing the injuries to his face and head.

This revelation contradicts the prosecution’s primary theory that Read fatally struck O’Keefe, her Boston police officer boyfriend, with the back of her Lexus SUV on January 29, 2022, leaving him to die in the cold outside a home in Canton, Massachusetts. Read was arrested and initially charged with hit-and-run manslaughter. Later, she was indicted on second-degree murder charges.

Defense attorney Alan Jackson focused his questioning on Sergeant Bukhenik’s initial assessment of the scene and the information he conveyed to the medical examiner’s office. Jackson specifically highlighted a phone call Bukhenik made to the medical examiner’s office on the morning of January 29, 2022.

"At 10:41 a.m., you called the medical examiner’s office to inform them that Mr. O’Keefe quote, ‘was struck in the face with a cocktail glass, or at least appeared to be,’ correct?" Jackson asked Bukhenik.

Bukhenik responded, "That is in part what I advised the medical examiners office," before Jackson cut him off, objecting to the sergeant’s explanation.

Judge Beverly Cannone intervened, directing Bukhenik to answer the questions directly. Jackson pressed Bukhenik further about his communication with the medical examiner.

"And did you state to them that there was a possibility that the decedent, John O’Keefe, was struck in the face with a cocktail glass?" Jackson inquired.

Bukhenik replied, "I don’t recall my words exactly, but that sounds accurate to what I might have said."

Jackson also questioned Bukhenik about his actions regarding securing the house at 34 Fairview Road, a potential crime scene. Bukhenik acknowledged that he took no specific steps to secure the house.

Further, Jackson questioned whether key witnesses, including Boston Police Officer Brian Albert, his sister-in-law, Jennifer McCabe, and her husband, Matt McCabe, might have provided false statements from the beginning of the investigation regarding whether O’Keefe entered Albert’s home the night he died.

Only Jennifer McCabe has testified so far in Read’s second trial. McCabe testified that she observed Read’s vehicle outside the house shortly after midnight, but she did not see either Read or O’Keefe enter the residence.

Outside the courtroom, Read spoke to reporters, stating that she saw O’Keefe go inside the house. When asked for specifics, she declined but noted that she has previously described the details and believes special prosecutor Hank Brennan may present a clip about it at trial.

The defense aims to demonstrate inconsistencies and potential bias in the investigation, raising doubts about the prosecution’s narrative that Read intentionally struck O’Keefe with her vehicle.

The prosecution’s case relies heavily on evidence found at the scene, including a broken glass, a black straw, O’Keefe’s missing sneaker, and Read’s damaged taillight. Bukhenik testified that these items supported the theory that O’Keefe had been struck by a motor vehicle.

Brennan, during his direct examination of Bukhenik, referenced a phrase used in law enforcement, "knocked out of your shoes," which Bukhenik confirmed. Brennan then showed the court Ring camera video taken from O’Keefe’s driveway that showed the taillight on Read’s vehicle was cracked when she left his house around 5 a.m. on January 29, 2022.

Bukhenik testified that he questioned Read about the broken taillight later that morning, and she allegedly responded, "I don’t know how I did it last night."

According to Bukhenik, O’Keefe suffered significant injuries to his face and head, as well as cuts on his right arm when Bukhenik saw him at Good Samaritan hospital.

The trial has been closely watched as it brings forth conflicting accounts of the events leading up to O’Keefe’s death and the subsequent investigation.

Bukhenik is expected to return to the witness stand Friday, where he will likely face further questioning from both the defense and the prosecution.

The outcome of the trial hinges on the jury’s ability to reconcile the conflicting evidence and witness testimonies. The revelation of Bukhenik’s initial suspicion of a bar glass injury throws an element of doubt in the prosecution’s presented narrative and provides the defense with more ammunition for their cause. The jury is now left to consider two distinct theories: one of vehicular homicide, and the other of a possible altercation that occurred inside the Albert home.

The trial continues to offer twists and turns, leaving observers to contemplate whether the full truth has yet to surface.