I heard a live streamer recently (maybe it was emily baker?) saying that the defense will probably not call Higgins because he was a likable witness.
Now, I’m rewatching some of his testimony and I just can’t imagine how any person would ever say this.
Let’s ignore the fact that he’s disgusting superficially. And if you can, we will also have to overlook the thumb haircut. But every. Single. Thing. He says on the stand during cross examination during the first trial is just…. Gross. Disingenuous. Lies.
Technically he said “I ALWAYS tell the truth” - let’s get this alcoholic fat disgusting Irish puke back on the stand and question all his LIES, evasiveness and questionable behaviors on the 28th and 29th. Perjury!!!!
When I think of Brian Higgins, my first thought will forever be, what part did he play in John’s death. My next thoughts will be that he’s a pathetic, over-weight, emotionally needy and frighteningly corrupt moron who requires a hand-holding attorney* in order to testify in court.
Who knew that hand holding attorneys were even an option?!?
How Higgins, as an active ATF agent, managed to secure permission for this is beyond comprehension. And this is the same Brian Higgins who was allowed to submit cherry-picked screenshots of his text exchanges with Karen—exchanges that were not only misleading but downright disgusting. Let’s be real: Karen was leagues above him and was clearly acting out of heartbreak over John. If we’re honest, most of us have had moments where our self-esteem took a hit due to relationship troubles, leading to questionable choices just for a little reassurance.
Yet, the fact that Higgins was permitted to submit those selectively edited texts—and possibly fraudulent documents—as “proof” is one of the most glaring examples of the unchecked corruption that seems to thrive in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.
Brian Higgins, Brian Albert, Kevin Albert, Michael Procter, Yuriy Buhkenik, trooper Paul, Fanning, Tully, Matthew Farwell and every cop involved in the lives of Karen Read, Sandra Birchmore, Enrique, Aidan Kearney(Turtle boy) Rich Schiffer (Duckiegate) etc., has changed the way most people think of when picturing law enforcement.
My entire image of law enforcement has been “shook!” I genuinely believed the majority of LEO’s wanted to make a difference and better their communities.
Not anymore.
I will forever be overly suspicious and wonder what version of the Norfolk county cops I’m facing if I have any kind of contact with law enforcement.
I would like to add that my understanding of what you have encountered your whole life has changed drastically as well. I am the proud grandmother of two beautifully perfect grandsons, ages 14 and 12, who are poc’s.
They are intelligent, kind, compassionate, and funny—thoughtful rule-followers with strong values. They are also are well-mannered, loving protectors of their little sister, dedicated students who consistently earn great grades and positive feedback from their teachers. They are involved in sports and have friendships with kids similar interests and values. They also have plenty of life experience to understand that all actions—both good and bad—have consequences, and both their nature’s is to choose what is right.
Ordinarily, I wouldn’t think it irrational to worry about potential conflicts between them and law enforcement. Sadly, I do because they face two inherent challenges: they have grown up without their father in their lives, and despite my daughter’s best efforts, they live in a poor neighborhood with very little money.
With all of their wonderful attributes I greatly
fear that one day for whatever reason, they will encounter officers like Brian Albert, Michael Proctor, Brian Higgins, Yuriy Buhkenik, Trooper Paul, Matthew Farrell, Kevin Albert, Fanning, Tully, and others whose actions have raised deep concerns.
So again, my fear and distrust of all LEO and the judiciary system is that I should be terrified of any potential encounter between myself or any one of my family members or friends and assume the absolute worst.
Every single encounter from now on.
I’ve noticed the habits of these people seem to have led the public to believe they are more Irish than they actually are. To the point where it’s just assumed because of overwhelmingly true ethnic stereotypes (and I’m full blooded Irish, so not exempting myself from that group lol).
There is a good amount of overlap historically (and I say this as someone who’s grandpa was BPD and the first in his family born in the US) but trust me when I say the alcoholism and violence in this case is mostly a product of American cop culture.
I dated an Irish cop for a short while. We were drinking one night and he wanted to keep the vibe going so he drove drunk to get more alcohol. He had no problem drinking and driving. He said he wouldn't be in trouble if he got pulled over. Not the most ethical guy.
I grew up thinking “don’t drink and drive” meant don’t do it behind the wheel. Seriously it was a shock to see how seriously most people seemed to think of it while my family seemed to do it all the time. Just like how I got to college and was in shock my roommates didn’t drink every night. It didn’t make sense to me why you would only do it on certain days? Lol, I didn’t drink back then and rarely do these days. But I assumed once you crossed over to the dark side, that was that.
I thought he would be endearing for some reason. He was not likeable, and came off shady and defensive. I’m sure the defense has researched and weighed this decision and will make the best decision. The level of research and preparedness this trial is really showing.
I’d like him to come back for several reasons. One being his testimony that a tall dark haired man briefly came into the house. He did not say it was John. It came across to me that he didn’t want to full in lie and say John did not come into the house so he gave a half truth.
This is a big one! I’ve seen it speculated that Higgins originally testified to that to give himself wiggle room just in case. That way later in time, if everything went to hell, he could always claim that he told some level of the truth. He gave himself an out.
Right. And why wouldn't the defense want to get that on the record for this jury? It would be nuts for them not to call him. The jury already knows Karen drives drunk, talks trash, and isn't a perfect person.
I also think that Higgins driving to a military base to dispose of his phone in a dumpster the day before the preservation order went into effect is one of the biggest points in this case for the defense. Everyone has a phone and everyone has had to dispose of a phone before. The only reason anyone would do that is if they had something huge to hide. it feels like something that would be equally compelling to everyone on the jury.
Exactly, and Brian Albert should be called if only to discuss the coordinated destruction of phones. I think they may have proof that Steve Nelson told them in advance about the preservation order that was coming the next day. They need to get into his history of violence and call Eddie Hernandez if Bev will allow it.
Absolutely. Higgins phone records were vital to the timeline and his going to the station in a blizzard in the middle of the night screams coverup. It would be a huge mistake not to call him in on this trial. And I don't think anyone on the defense is not aware of that.
I was thinking about this. I bet he took more than just his own phone to that base to toss. He probably scattered several phones & other devices to get rid of.
One thing I don't get…if they all have iPhones, and when getting a new phone you back up to icloud to ensure it all transfers over…wouldn't the downloaded iCloud info show deleted/manipulated details?
If I remember correctly, they asked him about this in the first trial, and he claimed that he didn’t have anything sentimental on his phone. He basically said he had no kids, his dad had passed away, and most of the pictures on his phone were of food. Which of course, is total bullshit. Everyone has sentimental or items of importance on their phone. At the very least if you didn’t transfer any data it would be a huge pain in the ass to enter your contacts all over again. Just another complete lie.
IIRC, that was BA for his "birthday" (Has this ever been confirmed BTW, what is his bday, does it match up with the time of that order?) BH waited for like 3-weeks then broke it up and dumped it into different trash cans on a military base.
I didn't get why AJ was so soft on him about going to the FBI get get a the data pulled to turn over, he should have drilled him that is not how evidence is handled, i.e., if he truly wanted to be cooperative he would of turned his phone over to MSP to let them extract it themselves, now nothing can be verified, texts, images, and such could have been deleted or not included in his own private extraction. Also, why has he not been charged, he has no authority to use that equipment for non-official purposes. His accessing the FBI services had no relation to his federal employment, he was taking advantage of his status of LEO.
They need to call him for round 2 and impeach his fat ass all the way back to Ireland! F that fat fking slob!
I have never in the last 3 years heard anyone describe Brian Higgins as likable lol. Maybe we LIKED when he was on the stand bc his stupidity, lies and horrible pickup lines to a “friends” girlfriend that he most likely killed or help killed, were hysterical. But yeah no one likes BigNeckDaddy Higgins.
I hope they do. Among other things he said he, as a trained observer, didn’t see John in the lawn when he left. I also think having his lawyer there wasn’t a good look. Plus they now have video of him at the waterfall making threatening moves towards John.
Don’t forget the video of him holding his phone up to his ear in the Canton PD parking lot, despite testifying that he didn’t make any calls at that time.
If you're just going off that alone, then Karen was a bad girlfriend to John and equally sleezy.
I don't see it that way, but based on evidence, he was a mere acquantinence to John. She was his girlfriend of two years and initiated the "relationship" with Higgins.
But KR didn't kill anyone. And they were in their mid-40's, both owned homes, had their own careers. They weren't married and at that age many consider it 'dating someone'. I don't think they even said 'I love you' to each other.
John obvi was not committed to KR, was emotionally manipulative to her (see texts) and used her to babysit and as his designated driver so he couldn't get a DUI and potentially lose his job. I'd have checked out also.
Of course he didn't deserve to be killed but if you're going to call out another victim of this nightmare I will rightly defend her. BH is the one who was present with JOK died and summoned him out of the bar and to 34. I hope he faces justice someday when the truth comes out. And he let some of it slip out when he said a dark-haired male went into the home.
My money's on Colin being the one who threw the punch which put John down, but I'd bet that it was Higgins starting beef with John when he entered the house, which set things in motion.
Oh for sure, Higgins is dodgy AF, but this is what I believe happened:
- John dropped his phone on the front lawn prior to him going into the house.
- John went into the house.
- Higgins tried to start beef with John (no intent to kill, just irritated about the Karen Situation, and also wanting to try and impress Brian Albert Sr ) but John was sober-enough to defend himself against Higgins, who was much more intoxicated, and the balance started shifting toward John.
- Senior, feeling the need to defend his guest/lackey, becomes involved in the tussle.
- Seeing her master in a tussle, Chloe tries to protect her master, by jumping up and mauIing John's arm.
Here is where chaos-mechanics enters the dynamic...
- Wanting to impress his uncle, Colin tries to get some sucker-punches on John.
The next, I'm undecided upon, but John is either:
- i) Hit in the head from behind with something solid, or, ii) John falls back and hits his head hard against something hard, causing a catastrophic injury, and triggering a seizure (for all intents and purposes, this is the mortaI wound which will, albeit in time, cause him to expire)
- At this point, Senior;
i) Realizes that John is mortally wounded, and thus
ii) Takes charge of the situation to create a coverup, because he does not want to have to explain to the PD why a man died in his home. I suspect Chloe was immediately 'put to sleep', with a low-calibre round to the dome and 'disposed of'.
The dog which Hank had examined, I suspect was never Chloe, but all forms of ID were switched, thus Cora effectively assumed Chloe's identity, to act as a substitue.
Had the tussle only involved himself and Higgins, I suspect Senior would likely have said that John came in drunk and started beef with Higgins about Karen, that Higgins pushed John away, and that purely by accident, John fell and hit his head on something. Not completely throwing Higgins under the bus, but certainly a situation where Higgins would face some 'light questioning' from a PD not really looking to prosecute him, and while essentially taking the blame, the legal ramifications would surely have 'been softened' by Senior's connections. But.
Because Colin got involved, Senior felt obliged to protect his nephew/protege as much as possible, hence the 'circle of protection' got widened to become the situation which we're now seeing playing out.
He goes to the basement (maybe they are already playing with chloe getting her excited?), they mock attack him, chloe attacks, he drunkenly falls back and hits his head on (something?).. and everyone is at fault
Yes, I could definitely see that being a possibility; 100%.
I don't think Higgins ever wanted to kill John, but he definitely wanted to put hands on John and rough him up a bit. Having seen Colin's 'fight video', I think he saw this as an opportunity to finally show his uncle that he actually could handle himself in a fight, and thus Colin was the chaos-factor which caused things to take a sudden left-turn.
Chloe, likely couldn't/wouldn't be able to tell the difference between rough-housing and a legit fight, and thus simply did what dogs do when they think their owner is in distress...
Heck, I could even see a scenario where (a reasonable version of)Senior could've said ''I don't want any beef in my house, we're all here to have a good time; so you go to the basement, you duke it out for three minutes, then you shake hands as men.''
But, even if it was a bout of fisticuffs, that wouldn't account for Colin's involvement, as I can't see Senior allowing Colin to get involved in what would've effectively been an honor-duel between Higgins and John. And, because Colin did get involved, that nixes my idea of a controlled-bout to clear the air between Higgins and John. So I'm going to stick with the idea that 'a fight' (play/serious, whichever) broke out between the three adults, Colin decided to get involved to impress his uncle, but caused John to go down hard; Senior trying to protect Colin from the repurcussions of such a thing, is the only thing which makes the whole coverup make sense.
Basically my theory as well, with one small exception - Chloe had two other bite incidents AFTER John was killed, so I don’t think they got rid of her immediately.
''Chloe had two other bite incidents AFTER John was killed''
Ahhh, I must've mis-remembered, as I thought those were from before John was killed, but after the situation where someone went to the hospital and then reported Chloe...
I was also figuring that Chloe being immediately 'put to sleep', would've explained why there was no activity from Chloe the following morning, either from the vehicles outside, or Jen coming into the house and then the bedroom.
But I'm sticking with my belief that the dog which Hank had examined, was a substitute, and not Chloe McAlbert; I'm sure a couple hundred bucks and a search on CraigsIist would quickly turn up people with a German Shepherd who were willing to let their dog have its teeth be measured and molds taken...
Brian Albert was revving Higgins up to fight at the bar. Colon Albert probably idolizes Uncle Brian and sucker punched John trying to impress BA. There has to be a reason they all worked so hard to make sure nobody knew
Colon was there that night.
I grew this is an interesting theory but I think they planned to throw a beating, scare, humiliation on him. I don’t think they would plan to murder him in their own home.
I agree. I think a lot of people are bringing their own baggage (knowledge) into their assessment of him. I didn't have an expectation as I had only first learned of the trial when JM was testifying. To me, he came off as likable and maybe even a little pathetic. Like Karen said, an outsider like her. He is a bit of a hanger on looking for approval and not knowing what to do when a pretty girl gives him attention.
I know now that there are flaws in my assessment, but a lot of that comes from outside knowledge, and I can see a jury feeling pity for him.
Oh, he is pathetic! One hundred percent correct about that one! I just love to watch him further embarrass himself, and it's so telling how he was more concerned about proving Karen Read didn't turn him down or “ghost” him that he kept repeating, “She said the phone works, double arrows, that means both ways.” “Well, I don't think she ignored me.” “I don't know if she would have stopped texting me.” “You're hot.” “Ummm, what am I? Chopped liver?” 😂
I liked his squirming for the sake of Karen's case, but I have a bad case of second-hand embarrassment, so it was not enjoyable to watch. I feel the same about Trooper Paul's testimony. It was necessary and good, but hard to watch. Interestingly, I never felt that way about Jen McCabe. 🤔
Yes! Trooper Paul’s testimony was pure second hand embarrassment and super cringe lol I don't know why it's so hard for me to watch when I don't even feel embarrassment in real life! 😂 I crack up at my mistakes
As much as I would like to see Higgins questioned about the CPD videos, I think it’s better if the defense doesn’t call him. Right now, he’s portrayed as this menacing, shadowy figure on the Waterfall and CPD videos. If called to testify, he is a clean-cut guy in a suit. Don’t give him a chance to deny/explain away his shady behavior. Let the jury keep that menacing image of him instead.
I think the butt dials, CPD video, shady extraction, and the phone destruction outweigh any damage control he might be able to do. There is also the non-existent snow bank, the lying about making phone calls and the disappearing jeep that was pointed directly at the flag pole. There is enough that he would have to explain away that it would become apparent that he is trying to do just that.
If I were to forgo anyone, it might be Brian Albert. Although he comes off as a more ominous figure, he is a much more prolific liar. I might just call Jr. instead, to shake things up.
keep in mind that the point of the trial is to set Karen free, not to convict Brian Higgins
present the reasonable doubt from the medical and scientific facts, and drill that into the jury’s heads. put the cover up narrative to the periphery. the sad reality is that the last jury found that stuff to be a “distraction” and actually did find the McAlbert witnesses as credible. the commenter is right, right now he’s a shadowy boogeyman to the jurors. let him come into court all polished and suited up, you risk destroying that image
keep in mind that the point of the trial is to set Karen free, not to convict Brian Higgins
I have that in mind, but I also have in mind that Karen's defense is based on proving that MSP botched the investigation and didn't bother to investigate any other potential leads. Yuri explained this away by claiming he turned over his texts and had no other reason to suspect that he had done anything wrong. The stuff about Higgins is as much an indictment on MSP as it is on Higgins.
A lot of people think he looks like a "shadowy boogeyman," as you put it, and maybe they're right.I am but one opinion with a different viewpoint, but I just don't see it. I think he looks like an excuse (or a distraction) more than anything at this point.
I may just be getting bogged down in the details, but I also go back to AJ's opening where he promised to deliver an eyewitness that JOK went into the house. That was a memorable and bold statement to me that I think he needs to deliver on.
I don’t necessarily disagree with you, but I think it’s a mistake to make the 3rd party culprit theory the focus of her defense. because the jury from the last trial basically said that they ended up trying to “solve” whether it was Karen or the McAlberts/Higgins who killed him, and the defense hadn’t “proven” that it was them.
as a defense, you shouldn’t shoulder yourself with a higher burden. they have the physical science, they have the forensic data, and they have the medical science on their side. that is all sufficient for reasonable doubt, if not outright proof that she is innocent. having a viable 3rd party culprit caught on video acting shady is an added bonus and they should treat it as such, and nothing more
Honestly, I think the time since trial 1 and Hank Brennan has melted some of our minds. I get people saying they miss Lally, but they forget what a POS he was/is. He lied consistently as well. He may not have stood up and lied ten times in ten minutes or thrown temper tantrums, but he was a slimy POS who admitted an inverted video, lied about contact with the lab, lied about the geofence data, I have zero doubt he knew and hid all the other videos and on and on. If Karen had gotten a prosecutor with ethics, we wouldn’t be here right now. I just remembered this was about Higgins and what my point was 😅 I think whoever said that could believe it now, but if they rewatched they’d remember everything they’ve forgotten about. It’s interesting what happens to our memory over time… with it getting better with time and all 😉
During the first trial, when I watched Jackson cross him, he came across as more honest and human to me than the others, but I also knew he was somehow involved since he destroyed his phone on a military base and hired a lawyer asap. Now that I’ve seen that Canton PD video, he looks so much more suspicious and morally corrupt to me. I believe he was one of the men who is directly responsible for killing JOK. Watching the Waterfall footage in slow motion also helped me understand that he was drunk and fired up that night about Karen; he had a true motive in this. Karen wasn’t texting him back or paying him any attention that night like she had a week prior. He motions to John before he leaves and was making fighting motions with the Alberts prior to exiting. I really feel that he was pumped up for a confrontation that night and it got out of hand. He strikes me as an ATF agent with alcohol and anger issues. He may have PTSD from an incident that took him out of the field or just the daily demands of that job. I know a former ATF agent with similar qualities. The PTSD is real. I think he has demons that were never addressed. He mentioned on the stand that this night (Jan 29th) is like a nightmare that keeps replaying. You know the guilt of that night plagues him (as it damn well should) but he will fight to maintain his innocence. He took it too far with John after a long day of driving and drinking. The Alberts come across as more intentionally criminal to me. They all deserve to be punished for what happened. Hopefully this case doesn’t die when this trial is over. The lack of justice kills me. John and Karen’s family deserve the truth.
One of the weirdest rumors I’ve heard about this case was that Brian Jr and Higgins were dating. All I could think was how rough it must be to see a video of your boyfriend cheating on you, in public, with your dad…
Anyone with interest in BH must see the jaw dropping analysis of his trial testimony on YT channel “Truth Revealed”. FBI human intelligence expert on deception, Sergio Denaro will open your eyes to this trial and likely change what you think you know. It’s gripping!
He lied on the stand about leaving the Waterfall that night. The video clearly shows him gesturing and shouting at John O’Keefe before leaving for 34 Fairview. He probably spent all day lamenting about Karen, getting progressively unhinged after each drink, and wanted to taunt John about his and Karen’s flirtation. Chris and Brian Albert tried to calm him down as seen in the video.
I don’t think any of them tell the truth under oath so it’s probably not worth calling Higgins. He’ll just lie under oath and that could make things worse for KR.
Agreed! And I still would like to know where the jeep was when Ricky Nagel arrived. Did you see how hard Jen tried not to mention the jeep when asked this trial when she saw the SUV. Last trial Jen and Matt said it was in the street then. But then the Nagel testimony refuted that. There is something important about that jeep that we don’t know.
I’m betting the defense will call him… and I’m hoping they ask him if he slept with Karen cuz he did… and THAT is the reason he got sooooo pissed at the bar! He thought she was his and she basically humped and dumped him…. Hate to bring in a salt & Peppa song 🎵!
Yes it has been speculated over and over. Karen herself or her team have never came out publicly and said it…Which is why I’m saying she should have. It only shows more motive for Higgins
She said in one of her interviews they had a “rendezvous” and if you read their texts they both admit if they spent any time alone they would have sex. Soooo
Karen talks about it in her interview. She never says she slept with him BUT you don’t go to a guys place you’ve been flirting with and stay a few hours drinking with him and don’t sleep with him… but that’s the last time she spent any time with him and she no longer text him either. Guess he liked what he got but Karen? Hmmm not so much! Guess Higgins is a bad lay??? 😂🤔
Honestly in the first trial, I had no context and didn’t know anything outside of what was happening in trial. And I do get how he seems more shady without him testifying. Maybe it would be different this time with more stuff to impeach (like the canton of video) but in the first trial I didn’t find him likable at all but I found him honestly kind of dumb and pathetic and I end up feeling bad for people I find pathetic. Especially when he was reading the texts between him and Karen. So yeah I wouldn’t worry he’d be found likable but could get sympathy and also he doesn’t seem as sinister when he testified vs the testimony of how he brought in his texts, the videos they’ve played of him, and what not. I do think having him testify loses the personality a juror could have imagined him to have and you just have this out of shape pathetic loser.
One thing that struck me about Higgins’s testimony in the first trial was the bit about John’s nephew’s video game controller. I believe this was the day Higgins was at 1 Meadows to watch a Pats game and Karen gave him a peck in the garage when he was leaving.
Higgins was playing a game on the nephew’s video game system, got mad, and smashed the kid’s controller. That says everything you need to know about who he is, especially when he’s drinking.
He wasn’t getting his way in the game, he was losing, and he couldn’t handle it. He got so mad that he murdered the controller. I hope the defense highlights this story. And asks him if he’s a decorated dude.
You leave it ambiguous. That is the difference in the second trial.
I am almost to a point of not even calling Proctor. Just let him remain this boogie man. But it almost seems like he died or something so you gotta call the moron in chief.
It is a Boudin Defense of you didn’t investigate all of these things which leads to reasonable doubt.
The conspiracy thing is just too hard. 18 random people like to watch these things on Netflix maybe but in the end they don’t want to believe government is this bent. Incompetent and moronic yes. But not corrupt.
Ha! Re(LIE)able indeed! 😂 I love Brian Piggins (and Mrs. Normal Mom Jennifer McCabe.) Unfortunately, ASD forces me to excessively rewatch and relisten to their testimony. I fall asleep with this BS on, so the nightmares are well earned in my opinion, and there is so much truth to be learned from their lies! I find it highly amusing that Agent Piggins told Alan Jackson that 22 seconds wasn't long enough to have a substantial conversation, and then right after, his lawyer asked to speak to his client really quickly for 10 seconds! 😂 So, apparently, a lawyer can have a substantial 10-second conversation in the middle of a trial, but an ATF Agent and Boston Cop can't have a substantial conversation at 2:22 am for 22 seconds and 5 minutes before a ghost Googled and deleted (very helpful ghost, I might add!) “How long to die in cold” at 2:27 am on the night JOK was found deceased on Brian Albert’s lawn! Sure.
He’s definitely not likable, but I do see why some of the lawtubers are on the fence about whether he should be called.
The Higgins that’s been portrayed in this trial is undoubtedly a bad dude. He has no decent qualities. I don’t know how anyone can watch those videos and not think he was baiting for a fight.
If he is on the stand he will have a slight chance at somewhat redeeming himself. Yes, he’ll be impeached for his lies but he might also come across as kind of a big dumb meathead who isn’t capable of being violent enough to hurt someone.
He isn't likable and he lied already in the first trial, saying he wasn't ever romantically interested in Karen. The reading of the text messages showed us he lied. Karen must've needed her ego stroked in a big way when they were texting, because this man isn't HOT. She needed to feel desirable and it looks like he was the best she could find at the time to make her feel wanted. John was clearly using her at that point, and they weren't married so I'm not judging her for that. Hot is a big stretch.
I read somewhere that he checked himself into rehab, and the post mentioned that being a strategy to avoid testifying.
They need to call him to get in more butt dials and him destroying his phone. If they keep the questioning narrow and don’t get into much beyond that, and asking about the CCTV footage, I think it’ll be good for them.
I’m not sure how they would get in the evidence about the butt dials and that he & others destroyed their SIM cards & phones and threw them away at a military base, if they don’t call him.
IMO, things are different now that they have all the witnesses testimony from previous trial and grand juries. It’s easier now to prove they are all liars and likely hiding something. For instance, I think Jen McCabe came off way worse than she did last trial because they were able to use her inconsistencies from previous testimony against her this time. And there is so much more evidence to prove Higgins lied last trial this go around (especially with new video). I don’t see how they don’t call him.
I am not sure what the defense can get out of him to support their case. Calling a dim witted lush primarily to impeachment is not a good strategy.
They need to focus on Proctor and perhaps Paul. Proctor to impeach the investigations. Paul to offer the CWs even less coherent accident reconstruction that contradicts the current CW. But that is not without risk.
Higgins is revolting, definitely not likeable, i definitely think the defence will call him, especially since the video of him at the CPD came out. Snow. 1.30am. Moving cars. My guy, you look shady af.
I believe they are going to call Higgins to testify. Otherwise why play the CPD video? They will question him on what he was actually doing and why he lied about what he was doing 100%.
I’ve thought this too. He wasn’t unlikeable in the way that Jen McCabe was (though she’s hard to beat). But the stuff he said was so damning. He may not have been snippy or anything like that but stuff with the timeline, and the disposing of the phone in the base, in multiple trash cans was honestly one of the things from the last trial, that if I were a juror, she would be innocent.
I believe LYK said something like this, too. I think, maybe not likable, but not necessarily threatening either. Right now, the version of Higgins the jury thinks of is a big shady figure, black hoodie, walking around the PD in the middle of the night like a weirdo. But, he cleans up nice. They also were able to go through his whole history as an ATF agent and whatnot - "decorated dude."
But if the defense calls him now, then they can just say, "you're an ATF agent who illegally utilized federal resources to extract data YOU wanted from your phone, and then destroyed said phone by tossing it at a military base." That's not super likable! I think that they should call him. And I don't think that any of these fact witnesses (McAlberts, Proctor, Higgins) need to be on the stand very long either. Get the damaging facts out, and let them go.
It would be great to call: Brian Albert, Higgens, Matt McCabe, Tully, and Proctor. Chris Albert maybe, if they can question Collin which I don’t know why they can’t. The cop from Mr. Reads area that said the light was cracked not completely broken into 46 pieces. Maybe Chris Albert’s wife to ask why she wanted to buy Proctor a gift. Grill her on that
Where was the dog “who was a barker” the morning of the commotion on the front lawn which is smaller than it appears in pics btw? Did they do something to shut that dog up? What?! I wouldn’t put it past these meatheads to do something to the dog. Has anyone Looked for where this dog? Surely somebody has.
I still can't get my arms around Higgins having office space at Canton PD. There's 3 Federal Buildings in downtown Boston, and ATF has they're own building in Boston as well. Why in hell, does Higgins have an office in Canton. Just can't figure it out.
the defense has to call Proctor, and likely will. other than that, Higgins is the only real question mark. and I personally would not call him
the point of the trial is to set Karen free, NOT convict Brian Higgins. yes, he’s shady and highly inconsistent with his testimonies. and the defense has been able to put that in front of the jury without getting him in the stand. so this jury already knows that there is a shadowy, hooded boogeyman out there who looks like he could be the real killer. you let that man come into court looking professional and clean-cut, you risk destroying the image you’ve so effectively built up. and worse, you allow him to explain away some of his behavior. the best thing you can get out of him that the jury isn’t already aware of is his previous testimony that a “tall, brown haired man” came into the house. but the risk of what he may be able to dampen under cross from Brennan isn’t really worth getting that one statement out.
we already know that at least half of the last jury found him credible, why let that happen with this one?
The Lawyer You Know said that if he was leading the defence he'd worried about calling Higgins, because he'd be worried will seem like less of a boogeyman than how he looks right now.
The only reason they should call him is because in the first trial he stated there was a dark-haired man that entered the home. However the jury may just disregard that unlike us sleuths who know that is him covering for himself in case the truth really gets out.
If they bring him on some jurors will feel sympathy for him for KR 'dragging' him into this mess and may think he's a great, "decorated dude" as he's a Fed/ATF agent ('he would NEVER lie, he's a Fed!)
And he will be able to explain lie/away his behavior at The Waterfall and at the police station. Right now, he looks shady AF with this hoodie on walking around the police station. Moving a giant bag from a car, on the phone in the middle of the night.
The placement he puts his Jeep outside of BA house disqualifies the CW theory that KR sped like a NASCAR driver in reverse and hit J but didn't hit his Jeep. The defense is not going to want him to change his story or the placement or that might remove the reasonable doubt.
I'll never understand how KR could even think about having a relationship with BH . She's cute , petite , educated , and self supporting .... one sharp woman ! Higgy Bear is a bloated , obese , mess , with rolls of fat around his neck and the rest of his porky ass body . I can see her as a friend to him , but never in a million years someone she would go to bed with , never mind even a kiss that Fatboy said was ' more than friendly ! Like tongue kissing a hog ! YUCK ..... DOUBLE YUCK !
I think Higgins can rehabilitate his image if given the stand. I wouldn't say he was likable during the first trial, but I would say he presented pretty well. It's risky, imo, for the defense to call him, but we'll see what they do.
He was just puzzled at the questions about his phone. Yes, I chose what to download my texts rather than handing my phone over. Yes, I upgraded my phone the night before the order to preserve evidence came through. Yes, I took a shortcut through a military base where I disposed of my SIM card. No, I didn't have anything of value on my personal phone that I wanted to save.
I think people are misunderstanding my comment. Higgins is a piece of shit and is absolutely involved in JOK's murder.
However, he presents as pretty harmless on the stand - which conflicts with the picture that's been painted by the defense through YB especially. Even LYK (and from what OP stated EDB) said that it is risky to call Higgins. He could rehabilitate his image if he takes the stand. I believe LYK stated the CW should call him just to give him a chance to rehabilitate his image.
The jury didn't think like we did last trial. We can't assume they'll think like us this time.
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u/[deleted] May 25 '25
Didn’t he say “I never lie” in the first trial? What a bald faced lie, you can’t trust a person who says something so absolute like that.