Connecting the Dots: Sgt. Bukhenik Says Karen Read’s Car Caused O’Keefe’s Injuries
Hidden Killers With Tony Brueski | True Crime News & Commentary
True Crime Today
3 • 791 Ratings
🗓️ 9 May 2025
⏱️ 177 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In the second half of his direct examination, Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik doubled down on the prosecution’s theory: that Karen Read backed her Lexus SUV into Officer John O’Keefe during a drunken drop-off, causing the injuries that ultimately led to his death. Bukhenik meticulously detailed how forensic evidence aligned with that theory—including blood spatter patterns, taillight fragments, and O’Keefe’s positioning in the snow.
Jurors heard how Bukhenik traced a red trail leading from the back of Read’s SUV to where O’Keefe’s body was found, suggesting he was dragged or stumbled before collapsing. He claimed the physical evidence contradicted the defense’s theory that O’Keefe was attacked inside the home at 34 Fairview. According to Bukhenik, everything—from the crushed snow to the angle of the broken glass—pointed to vehicular trauma.
This testimony was critical in reinforcing the prosecution’s case, but it wasn’t without problems. While Bukhenik projected confidence and precision, some observers noted an undercurrent of discomfort—perhaps due to questions swirling around the Massachusetts State Police and the now-terminated lead investigator, Michael Proctor.
Still, Bukhenik’s words gave the state something they desperately needed: an officer with credentials and authority willing to stand behind the theory that Karen Read killed John O’Keefe with her car. Whether jurors buy it is another matter entirely.
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#KarenReadTrial #YuriBukhenik #JohnOKeefeDeath #VehicularHomicide #CrimeSceneAnalysis #TrueCrime #ForensicEvidence #CourtroomTestimony #LegalStrategy #PoliceWitness
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You're listening to live courtroom coverage of the trial of Karen Reed from the Hidden Killers podcast and True Crime Today. Now, back to the courtroom. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. |
| 0:21.6 | Here's the court. |
| 0:23.6 | You show me, sir, the other |
| 0:25.6 | reporting during the case down and hearing |
| 0:27.6 | the truth, the whole truth, and not about the truth, so I hope you got. |
| 0:29.6 | I do. |
| 0:30.6 | Good morning. |
| 0:31.6 | Good morning, Your Honor. |
| 0:32.6 | Good morning, ladies' gentlemen. |
| 0:34.6 | All right, Mr. Brennan, whenever you're ready. Thank you, Your Honor. Good morning. Good morning, ladies' gentlemen. All right, Mr. Brennan, whenever you're ready. |
| 0:38.3 | Thank you, Your Honor. |
| 0:39.3 | Good morning. |
| 0:40.3 | Good morning, sir. |
| 0:41.3 | Could you please introduce yourself to the jury and spell your last name for the record? |
| 0:45.3 | My name is Yuri Buchanick. |
| 0:47.3 | My last name is spelled B.U-K-H-E-N-I-K. |
| 0:52.3 | Mr. Buchanek, where do you work? |
| 0:55.0 | I work for the Massachusetts State Police. |
| 0:58.0 | What is your role with the Massachusetts State Police? |
| 1:01.0 | I'm currently assigned as a sergeant with the Norfolk District Attorney's Office in the Homicide Section. |
| 1:08.0 | I want you to take us back before you became a state police trooper |
| 1:13.4 | with the Norfolk County District Attorney's Office. Where were you born? I was born in leave |
... |
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