by One of the key investigators in the Karen Readcase, Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, has been moved from the Norfolk County District Attorney’s Office, a State Police spokesperson said.
According to spokesperson Tim McGuirk, Bukhenik’s temporary duty assignment to the agency’s Division of Standards and Training went into effect on Sunday.
According to McGuirk, Sergeant Bukhenik will carry out a range of administrative tasks as a Sergeant assigned to the DST Commander’s Office to assist the Division’s day-to-day operations. He also said that applications are being accepted for Bukhenik’s former role with the Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit through the State Police Division of Investigative Services.
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According to McGuirk, Col. Geoffrey Noble has emphasized to officials at all levels that hiring decisions should be made with the Department’s public safety goal in mind. We accomplish this by implementing a rigorous and equitable hiring procedure that guarantees Troopers and professional employees from all backgrounds are able to clearly state their skills and their capacity to carry out the particular duties of every given [job].
The specific cause for Bukhenik’s redeployment was not stated by State Police.
His transfer occurs just weeks after Read was found not guilty by a jury of murder and manslaughter in connection with the death of her partner, Boston Police Officer John O. Keefe, in January 2022. Read was only found guilty of a drunk driving charge and given a year of probation after three years, two well reported trials, and weeks of testimony.
Bukhenik defended the State Police investigation into the death of O Keefe, who was discovered unconscious on the lawn of a fellow Boston police officer in Canton on January 29, 2022, when he testified in May for Read’s retrial.
Bukhenik refuted the defense team’s allegations of a faulty and biased inquiry into what happened at 34 Fairview Road by testifying that the investigation was conducted with honor and integrity and that all the evidence pointed in one direction and one path only.
Read’s attorneys have long argued that she was set up, claiming that witnesses and law police colluded to shield the homeowner’s friends and relatives. Former Trooper Michael Proctor, who oversaw the inquiry and was a subordinate of Bukhenik, has been specifically mentioned.
Because of Proctor’s actions during the case, especially the offensive messages he wrote to friends, relatives, and coworkers regarding Read, State Police fired him earlier this year. In relation to Proctor’s messages, the agency also punished Bukhenik and Detective Lt. Brian Tully, who was the head of the State Police detective section in the Norfolk DA’s office. Tully was transferred out of the DA’s office last fall after forfeiting six vacation days, while Bukhenik forfeited five.
In May, Bukhenik testified that he was part of a text chain that Proctor sent in response to a picture of David Yannetti, one of Read’s defense lawyers.
On August 17, 2022, Proctor wrote, “Funny, I am going through his retarded client’s phone.” So far, no nudity. I despise that individual. I really despise him.
When Bukhenik read the message on his Apple Watch while working a traffic detail at Boston Logan International Airport that day, he promptly glanced at it and answered with a thumbs up emoji.
I later testified that I had acknowledged the SMS message. I didn’t see the disgusting phrase.
Bukhenik went on to describe Proctor’s word choice as regrettable and inappropriate.
“The events of the last three years have challenged our Department to thoroughly review our actions and take concrete steps to deliver advanced investigative training, ensure appropriate oversight, and enhance accountability,” McGuirk said Monday, echoing the Colonel’s statement following the conclusion of the second trial.
He noted that the State Police has improved in these areas and will continue to do so under Noble’s leadership. Delivering first-rate police services that uphold the values of professionalism and public trust continue to be our top priorities.
Abby Patkin covers a wide range of topics as a general assignment news reporter, including crime, public transportation, health, and everything in between. She has been reporting on the murder case of Karen Read.
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