Commonwealth v. Read — Trial ArchiveJ. Ryan Gallerani
Testimony Impact
Sgt. J. Ryan Gallerani is a Massachusetts State Police officer with specialized certification in DNA buccal swab collection. He testified in both trials about his role collecting DNA reference samples from Trooper Michael Proctor and Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik at the Norfolk County DA's office on January 16, 2024, and shipping those samples to Bode Technology laboratory in Virginia for analysis. His testimony established the chain of custody for DNA reference samples tied to two central figures in the investigation.
Trial 1 vs Trial 2
In Trial 1, the defense waived cross-examination entirely, leaving Gallerani's testimony as a brief, uncontested account of collection and chain of custody. In Trial 2, Yannetti used cross-examination to expand the significance of Gallerani's role by establishing who was not swabbed — Chief Berkowitz, Detective Kevin Albert, and Lt. Brian Tully — framing the DNA collection as selectively narrow rather than comprehensive.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“So I was specifically certified in buccal swabs, which is the process of collecting cells suitable for DNA comparison by swabbing inside of a person's cheek.”
Establishes the witness's qualifications for the specific evidence collection task.
“I collected samples from Sergeant Bukhenik and Trooper Proctor.”
Identifies whose DNA reference samples were collected — two investigators involved in the case.
“Specifically, I was certified in DNA buccal swab collection, which is the process of obtaining cells suitable for DNA comparison by swabbing a person's cheek cells and gums.”
Establishes Gallerani's specific qualifications for the evidence collection task.
“I collected samples from Trooper Proctor and Sergeant Bukhenik.”
Identifies the two individuals whose DNA reference samples were collected — both key figures in the investigation.
Key Moments
- Gallerani explained his specific certification in buccal swab collection — the process of obtaining cells suitable for DNA comparison by swabbing inside a person's cheek — establishing his qualifications before describing the evidence collection.
- He identified Trooper Michael Proctor and Sgt. Yuri Bukhenik as the two individuals whose DNA reference samples he collected, placing both lead investigators in the chain of custody for DNA comparison evidence.
- In cross-examination during Trial 2, Yannetti elicited that Gallerani was never asked to collect DNA from Canton Police Chief Berkowitz, Detective Kevin Albert, or Lt. Brian Tully of the Massachusetts State Police — three figures connected to the case whose DNA was never submitted for comparison.
- The defense's cross in Trial 2 turned Gallerani's narrow assignment into an implicit point about scope: the DNA collection effort was limited to two state police investigators while other law enforcement figures in the Albert family's orbit were never swabbed.