A Massachusetts State Police sergeant’s testimony has injected a surprising new element into the retrial of Karen Read, accused of the hit-and-run death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. During Thursday’s proceedings, Sergeant Yuri Bukhenik revealed that early in the investigation, he’d suggested to other authorities that O’Keefe’s facial and head injuries might have been caused by a bar glass, rather than Read’s Lexus SUV, as the prosecution maintains.
This revelation directly contradicts the prosecution’s central argument that Read struck O’Keefe with her vehicle and fled the scene. The defense, represented by Alan Jackson, successfully elicited this admission from Bukhenik, highlighting the possibility of an alternative explanation for O’Keefe’s injuries. The sergeant’s testimony also touched on the potential for inaccuracies from key witnesses, including fellow Boston Police Officer Brian Albert, and Jennifer and Matt McCabe, regarding O’Keefe’s presence at Albert’s home before his death. Only Jennifer McCabe has testified so far in this retrial, stating she saw Read’s vehicle outside but didn’t see either Read or O’Keefe enter the house. However, Read, speaking outside the court and not under oath, claimed she saw O’Keefe go inside, though she couldn’t provide details.
The prosecution, led by Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan, presented evidence such as a broken glass, a black straw, and O’Keefe’s missing sneaker, all recovered from the scene. Brennan argued that this evidence supported the theory of a vehicular strike, invoking the common law enforcement phrase “knocked out of your shoes”. He also presented Ring camera footage showing Read’s vehicle with a broken taillight, a detail she reportedly said she couldn’t explain. Bukhenik’s testimony also detailed the significant facial and head injuries O’Keefe sustained, as well as cuts on his arm.
The courtroom drama is far from over. The sergeant is expected to continue his testimony on Friday, and the conflicting accounts of witnesses and the initial investigation’s alternative theory promise to keep this high-profile case captivating. The court will need to determine whether the initial theory of a cocktail glass being the weapon holds any weight, or if the prosecution’s case for a hit and run remains the most likely scenario.
