Sue Simpson

Yuri Buchanik is a sergeant with the Massachusetts State Police.

Buchanek and Proctor worked together to develop the theory of how John O'Keefe was killed. Now, Michael Proctor was fired earlier this year due to misconduct, in part because of demeaning and derogatory text messages he sent about Karen to his friends and even to his supervisors during the investigation. Buchanek was on one of those group text chains, and he even liked one of the messages.

Buchanek and Proctor worked together to develop the theory of how John O'Keefe was killed. Now, Michael Proctor was fired earlier this year due to misconduct, in part because of demeaning and derogatory text messages he sent about Karen to his friends and even to his supervisors during the investigation. Buchanek was on one of those group text chains, and he even liked one of the messages.

The prosecution is trying to make Sergeant Buchanek the face of the investigation and minimize Proctor's role because of those demeaning text messages he sent. Andrea, you probably remember how damaging Proctor's testimony was in the first trial, so they're trying to avoid a repeat of that. And they're trying to avoid mentioning Michael Proctor's name as much as possible.

The prosecution is trying to make Sergeant Buchanek the face of the investigation and minimize Proctor's role because of those demeaning text messages he sent. Andrea, you probably remember how damaging Proctor's testimony was in the first trial, so they're trying to avoid a repeat of that. And they're trying to avoid mentioning Michael Proctor's name as much as possible.

Prosecutor Hank Brannan did things like refer to Proctor as the case officer instead of the lead investigator. And they also had Buchanek show physical evidence collected from the scene to the jury instead of getting Michael Proctor to do that.

Prosecutor Hank Brannan did things like refer to Proctor as the case officer instead of the lead investigator. And they also had Buchanek show physical evidence collected from the scene to the jury instead of getting Michael Proctor to do that.

So the defense, of course, had exactly the opposite strategy. Alan Jackson insisted that Proctor was really at the center of the investigation. Remember, Jackson called him a cancer in his opening argument. And just as he did when he cross-examined Proctor during the last trial, Alan Jackson really hammered Buchanek about how the investigation was conducted.

So the defense, of course, had exactly the opposite strategy. Alan Jackson insisted that Proctor was really at the center of the investigation. Remember, Jackson called him a cancer in his opening argument. And just as he did when he cross-examined Proctor during the last trial, Alan Jackson really hammered Buchanek about how the investigation was conducted.

He asked him about procedural missteps, like witnesses being interviewed in groups. and not being brought down to the station, for instance, to be recorded. And Buchanek was often evasive when Jackson pushed him and tried to pin him down about Proctor's role in the case.

He asked him about procedural missteps, like witnesses being interviewed in groups. and not being brought down to the station, for instance, to be recorded. And Buchanek was often evasive when Jackson pushed him and tried to pin him down about Proctor's role in the case.

Oh, they were very attentive. There's no question about that. And I have noticed one man on the jury where every time Alan Jackson gets up, you get the sense that this guy, if he could applaud, he would. Oh, wow. Other jurors are more studious. They're taking notes. But this gentleman is clearly enjoying the spectacle, the theater that Alan Jackson brings.

Oh, they were very attentive. There's no question about that. And I have noticed one man on the jury where every time Alan Jackson gets up, you get the sense that this guy, if he could applaud, he would. Oh, wow. Other jurors are more studious. They're taking notes. But this gentleman is clearly enjoying the spectacle, the theater that Alan Jackson brings.

Well, yes. I mean, first of all, let me say that Karen Reed, the defendant, has become kind of the voice of the defense team because there is a gag order. Remember, Andrea, the lawyers were gagged even before the trial started, so we can't talk to them. So Karen will sometimes talk to the media after a day in court, and

Well, yes. I mean, first of all, let me say that Karen Reed, the defendant, has become kind of the voice of the defense team because there is a gag order. Remember, Andrea, the lawyers were gagged even before the trial started, so we can't talk to them. So Karen will sometimes talk to the media after a day in court, and

I asked her one-on-one, you know, what is going to happen with Michael Proctor, and she said TBD. They're still deciding. And it's a really interesting debate, Andrea, about whether or not they're going to call him. The defense may be thinking that Alan Jackson's cross-examination has left jurors with the impression that Proctor is the bad actor in the investigation.

I asked her one-on-one, you know, what is going to happen with Michael Proctor, and she said TBD. They're still deciding. And it's a really interesting debate, Andrea, about whether or not they're going to call him. The defense may be thinking that Alan Jackson's cross-examination has left jurors with the impression that Proctor is the bad actor in the investigation.

And the calculation the defense team has to make is this. If they put Michael Proctor on the stand, will they in some way humanize him? And is that a risk that they're willing to take? So they've got a big decision to make, and they have to make it relatively soon.

And the calculation the defense team has to make is this. If they put Michael Proctor on the stand, will they in some way humanize him? And is that a risk that they're willing to take? So they've got a big decision to make, and they have to make it relatively soon.

You know, Andrea, you know that's the million-dollar question, right? It's something she's asked about almost every day. And so far, all she said was that's also to be determined.