LexTalk

If you’ve been watching the Karen Read retrial like I have—half on the edge of your seat, half clutching your coffee in disbelief—you already know this trial isn’t just about whether she’s guilty or innocent. It’s about the people in that courtroom. The players. The quiet stars, the shady shadows, and the ones who leave you wondering what in the actual cover-up is going on.

So let’s talk about it.

 Robert Alessi: The Calm in the Chaos

First up, Robert Alessi. Can we give this man a standing ovation?

He wasn’t part of the original trial, and truthfully? He doesn’t usually do murder cases. But they brought him in for this second round, and wow—he’s been nothing short of phenomenal. He brings this calm, composed, razor-sharp energy to the defense table that’s impossible to ignore.

There’s no fluff, no over-the-top drama. Just thoughtful, strategic questioning. He clearly did his homework. Every time he speaks, it feels like a chess move—calculated, purposeful, and hard to counter. Watching him work makes you think, “Maybe this is what the first trial was missing.” He’s made a complicated case just a little more clear for those of us trying to follow every twist and turn.

 Trooper Proctor: Something Just Feels Off

Now… let’s shift the spotlight to Trooper Michael Proctor—and I’ll be honest, something about him just doesn’t sit right.

I know we’re all supposed to stay objective and respect law enforcement, but Proctor’s behavior throughout this trial has been hard to overlook. From his unprofessional, vulgar text messages about Karen Read to the way he handled key evidence… it’s been eyebrow-raising, to say the least. And let’s not even get started on his potential ties to people involved in the case. It’s giving “conflict of interest” on a silver platter.

Is it just me, or does it feel like Proctor made up his mind about this case before any real investigating happened? Because if that’s true—if bias and backdoor relationships got in the way—then how are we supposed to trust anything that followed?

 Yuri Bukhenik: The Dodger of the Day

And speaking of unhelpful, can we take a moment for Yuri Bukhenik?

The man straight-up dodged questions like he was trying out for the Matrix reboot. Watching him on the stand felt less like testimony and more like an evasive dance routine. Every question was met with confusion, redirection, or the classic “I don’t recall.” At one point I actually laughed—because if I didn’t, I’d scream.

When you have officers behaving like this on the stand, it plants seeds of doubt. Big ones.

 My Takeaway

At this point, I’m not even saying Karen Read definitely didn’t do it. But I am saying there’s enough shady behavior swirling around this case—from Trooper Proctor’s questionable conduct to Yuri’s non-answers—to make anyone pause.

And while the chaos unfolds, Robert Alessi is in the corner, calmly dismantling inconsistencies like it’s just another Tuesday at the office. It’s been wild to watch—and honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if this trial becomes a law school case study one day.

Because when your gut starts talking—and your coffee gets cold because you’re too glued to the screen to drink it—you know you’re witnessing something big.