by The firing of a former Massachusetts State Trooper, Michael Proctor, for his handling of the Karen Read murder investigation was a focal point in her retrial this week. During testimony, Proctor’s supervisor, Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik, acknowledged his own disciplinary actions tied to the case but defended Proctor’s conduct, asserting that the investigation was handled with “honor and integrity.”
Sgt. Bukhenik, who was also disciplined for misconduct linked to Proctor, testified in Norfolk Superior Court that, despite biases in every human being, he believed these did not influence the case’s outcome. “I believe human beings all have biases,” Bukhenik said, “but they did not affect the investigation’s conclusion.”
Proctor, who was fired after allegations of misconduct surfaced during Read’s initial trial, did not testify at her retrial, and it is uncertain whether he will. His actions were scrutinized after defense lawyers claimed he mishandled evidence and exhibited biased behavior. In addition to his firing, Proctor faced accusations of sending inappropriate and derogatory messages about Read and sharing confidential case information with non-law enforcement individuals.
The retrial for Karen Read, 45, continues as she faces charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter while under the influence, and leaving the scene of a fatal accident. In her first trial, which ended in a hung jury after five days of deliberations, Read’s defense argued that she was framed for the death of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe. The defense contends that O’Keefe was likely murdered inside a retired police sergeant’s home before being left outside to die.
Prosecutors allege that Read, angered by her deteriorating relationship with O’Keefe, drove her Lexus SUV into him and left him for dead. O’Keefe, 46, was found unresponsive outside the home of a retired sergeant, Brian Albert, on January 29, 2022. He later succumbed to hypothermia and blunt force trauma.
Read’s defense team argues that the investigation was compromised by misconduct, with Proctor’s actions undermining its integrity. Despite evidence suggesting Proctor’s unprofessional behavior, Sgt. Bukhenik maintained that Proctor’s role in the investigation did not affect the outcome. Bukhenik testified that Proctor did not play a central role, as the investigation involved multiple officers, and Proctor did not contribute more than 51% of the work.
Bukhenik also addressed the controversial messages that Proctor had sent, including offensive remarks about Read and her medical condition, as well as his suggestion that she die by suicide. Bukhenik, who had received some of Proctor’s texts, admitted to failing to properly supervise Proctor but defended the investigation’s integrity.
The defense team continues to question the credibility of Proctor’s investigation as they fight to clear Read’s name, while the retrial proceeds.
