A sergeant with the Massachusetts State Police, who played a crucial role in the investigation into Karen Read’s initial mistrial for murder, provided testimony on Thursday at the Norfolk Superior Court.
State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, as reported by FOX News Digital, indicated that during the early stage of the investigation, he conversed with fellow law enforcement officials regarding the deceased Boston police officer, John O’Keefe. He suggested that O’Keefe might have sustained facial injuries from a cocktail glass, which affected his facial and cranial regions.
Read, who is on trial for second-degree murder, is accused of dropping O’Keefe off at the Massachusetts residence of retired Boston police officer Brian Albert after an evening of drinking in January 2022, before allegedly hitting him with her Lexus SUV and leaving the scene, according to a previous report by CrimeOnline.
His body was later found in a snow bank with head injuries and signs of hypothermia.
Read claimed that she was framed and alleged O’Keefe died during a fight inside the home involving several men, including Albert.
Defense lawyer Alan Jackson questioned Bukhenik on contacting the medical examiner’s office regarding glass possibly found on O’Keefe’s face.
Jackson: “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?”
Bukhenik:”That is in part what I advised the medical examiner’s office… Where they are, responsible for the medical portion of…”
Jackson interrupted Bukhenik and told him to do his “best” with answering the question.
“Yes,” Bukhenik replied.
Jackson:”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?”
Bukhenik:”I don’t recall my words exactly, but that sounds accurate to what I might have said.”
Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik is back on the stand this morning at the Karen Read murder trial. Watch here:https://t.co/whfZxOxJQW
— NBC 10 WJAR (@NBC10) May 9, 2025
Investigators found a broken glass, a black straw, and O’Keefe’s missing shoe away from the scene—evidence Bukhenik said supported the theory that a vehicle struck O’Keefe.
Bukhenik saw O’Keefe at Good Samaritan Hospital, he had severe injuries to his face and head and cuts on his right arm.
CBS News reports that Jackson emphasized that Bukhenik didn’t go into 34 Fairview Road in Canton, where the gathering took place, and did not request a search of the home. He also highlighted that Bukhenik interviewed people who were at the residence that night, and argued that each had potential motives to lie if they played a role in O’Keefe’s death.
Read previously told police she dropped O’Keefe off around midnight and later grew concerned when he stopped responding to her texts and calls. By morning, she and two others returned to the home and found his body in the snow, bloodied and partially buried near the front lawn.
Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.
The trial continues. Check back for updates.
