Photo: WBZ NewsRadio
Updated: 5:00 p.m. 5/14/25
DEDHAM, Mass. (WBZ NewsRadio) — Day 15 of testimony has ended for the day in the Karen Read murder retrial at Norfolk Superior Court in Dedham, Mass.
Read is accused of hitting her boyfriend, Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe, with her SUV and leaving him to die in the snow on Jan. 29, 2022. Read’s defense team has claimed she is innocent and is being framed.
Massachusetts State Police (MSP) Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik was last on the stand when testimony concluded on Monday. According to CBS News Boston’s Kristina Rex, court was unexpectedly cancelled on Tuesday due to Read getting sick.
John O’Keefe’s Niece Testifies
O’Keefe’s niece was the first witness called to the stand on Wednesday morning. Since she is a minor, it is illegal to film the testimony. Before she took the stand, special prosecutor Hank Brennan played two clips of Read being interviewed by two different media outlets for the jury. In the first clip, she was talking about the status of her relationship with O’Keefe prior to his death. The second clip was about flirty text messages she exchanged with Brian Higgins.
Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Zachary Clark Testimony
MSP Sgt. Zachary Clark was the next witness called to the stand. Clark testified that he was asked to take photographs and document Read’s SUV while it was in the garage at Canton Police Headquarters on Feb. 1, 2022.
The defense has claimed the SUV was tampered with while it was there and that taillight pieces were planted at the scene at 34 Fairview Road in Canton, Mass. Defense attorney David Yannetti questioned Clark about who was at the garage when he arrived to take photos. Clark answered that former lead investigator Michael Proctor arrived before him.
Massachusetts State Police Trooper Evan Brent Testimony
MSP Trooper Evan Brent was the third witness called to the stand on Wednesday morning. Brent testified about his role in documenting the scene where O’Keefe’s body was found. He said he was requested by Proctor to take pictures, but he did not know who had access to the scene prior to his arrival.
Needham Police Sgt. Brian Gallerani Testimony
Needham Police Sgt. Brian Gallerani was the fourth witness called to the stand on Wednesday and had the shortest testimony of the day so far. Gallerani testified about taking DNA samples from Proctor and Bukhenik, but he did not collect DNA from any of the other investigators.
Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab Forensic Scientist Maureen Hartnett Testimony
MSP Crime Lab forensic scientist Maureen Hartnett was the fifth witness called to the stand on Wednesday. Hartnett testified about her evidence collection process while examining Read’s SUV at the Canton Police Department’s sallyport.
Brennan showed the court pictures of Read’s SUV while it was inside the sallyport, asking Hartnett about what she observed. Hartnett testified she saw “scratches on the bumper as well as apparent pieces of glass.” She also noted an apparent hair on Read’s back bumper.
Testimony Resumes Tomorrow
Judge Cannone dismissed the jury for the day just before 4:00 p.m. Harnett will return to the stand on Thursday.
Listen LIVE for the latest updates on the Karen Read murder retrial.