DEDHAM – Testimony in publicity Karen Lees murder process will resume on Thursday with Massachusetts State Police Sergeant Yuri Boekjenik back in the stands. Bukhenik supervised Trooper Michael Proctor, who was the lead investigator into the death of Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe.
Testimony is expected to last until approximately 1 p.m. in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Massachusetts.
You can watch Karen Read’s testimony about the murder trial live on CBS News Boston when it begins by clicking on the video player above.
O’Keefe was found dead outside Brian Albert’s home at 34 Fairview Road in Canton on January 29, 2022. Prosecutors say Read hit him with her SUV and left him to die.
Read’s defense claims there was an extensive cover-up by several people, including law enforcement. They claim O’Keefe was killed during a fight at Albert’s home and dragged outside.
Boechenik began his testimony on Wednesday. The court ended for the day with prosecutor Adam Lally questioning him. Alan Jackson and David Yannetti, Read’s lead attorneys, have not yet begun cross-examination.
Sergeant Yuriy Bukhenik on the witness stand
On Wednesday, Lally began reviewing evidence that Bukhenik and state police had collected in the case, including the clothing O’Keefe was wearing the night he died.
Lally also played several pieces of video evidence. The prosecution tried to show that the taillight of Read’s SUV was damaged at 5:07 a.m. on the day of O’Keefe’s death before police began an investigation.
Video was also played showing Read drinking multiple alcoholic drinks hours before prosecutors say she struck and killed O’Keefe.
Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool
When will Trooper Michael Proctor testify?
What remains unclear in the trial is when – and how – Proctor will testify?
Proctor was assigned to the case by the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office. An internal investigation into his approach to the investigation is currently underway. Defense attorneys have argued that he could have planted evidence at the scene to cover up friends who are witnesses in the case.
Through his attorney, Proctor has denied any wrongdoing and remains on full duty during the investigation.
Who is Karen Read?
Read, a 45-year-old woman from Massachusetts, is charged with beating and murder O’Keefe with her SUV during a snowstorm. Read and O’Keefe were dating at the time. Previous witnesses in the case have stated that they believe the relationship is deteriorating.
Read has pleaded not guilty to second-degree murder, manslaughter while operating under the influence of alcohol and leaving the scene of personal injury and death.
Greg Derr/The Patriot Ledger via AP, Pool
What is the schedule for Karen Read’s murder trial this week?
After giving evidence for half a day on Thursday, there will be no court hearing on Friday. But next week, Judge Beverly Cannone appears ready to move the trial forward.
Full days of testimony are scheduled for Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Cannone has begun shortening jurors’ lunch breaks to about 30 minutes, and continues proceedings for another half hour until 4:30 p.m. on full days of testimony.
