A Massachusetts State Police sergeant who played a key role in the investigation that led to Karen Read’s original mistrial on murder charges testified Thursday that, early on, he told other authorities that John O’Keefe may have been hit in the face with a bar glass, causing injuries to his face and head.
Investigators, however, ultimately alleged that Read struck her Boston cop boyfriend with the back of her Lexus SUV and fled the scene, leaving him to die in the cold, on Jan. 29, 2022. Police arrested her on hit-and-run manslaughter charges days after she found him dead outside 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Massachusetts, and prosecutors secured an indictment for second-degree murder months later.
Defense lawyer Alan Jackson got State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik to concede on Thursday that he called the medical examiner’s office and said there was a possibility that O’Keefe could have been hit in the face with a cocktail glass.
Karen Read listens as Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik testifies during her trial in Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass., on May 8, 2025. “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.
“That is in part what I advised the medical examiner’s office,” Bukhenik began. “Where they are, responsible for the medical portion of…”
Jackson cut him off, objecting during his own line of questioning. After a brief sidebar, Judge Beverly Cannone told the witness to do his “best” to answer the questions he was asked.
WATCH: Alan Jackson cross-examines Massachusetts State Police Sgt Yuri Bukhenik
“Did you contact the medical examiner’s office at in (sic) the morning of … January 29th, 2022?” Jackson asked.
“Yes,” Bukhenik replied.
“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?”
Defense attorney Alan Jackson cross-examines Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy B
