Episode Overview

Podcast: The Karen Read Murder Trial: Canton Confidential
Episode: Brian Walshe trial recap | Surveillance footage shown in court
Host: NBC10 Boston
Date: December 9, 2025

This episode provides in-depth, nightly coverage of the Brian Walshe murder trial, focusing on key developments including new surveillance footage, contentious medical testimony, and the prosecution’s strategy as the case enters its second week. The conversation also draws perspective from the recent Karen Read case, framing the importance of the Walshe prosecution for both the district attorney’s office and public trust in the system.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Medical Examiner Testimony and Probe into Cause of Death

• The jury heard from Medical Examiner Richard Atkinson, with both prosecution and defense pressing on the challenges of determining a cause of death in the absence of Anna Walsh’s body.
• Defense focus: Attempts to introduce the possibility of sudden and unexplained death (e.g., cardiac, pulmonary, vascular causes) as reasonable doubt.
• Prosecution redirect: Emphasized that no official cause or manner of death could be determined because no body was ever recovered.
  • Quote:
    "We did not determine a cause or manner of death… because we had no body to autopsy."
    — Richard Atkinson, Medical Examiner (03:34)

2. Surveillance Video: Timeline & Behavior of Brian Walshe

• Multiple surveillance videos were introduced showing Brian Walshe in the days after Anna’s disappearance, including shopping for cleaning supplies and disposing of a large trash bag.
• Key footage included him in stores like CVS, Walgreens, Lowe’s, and at a liquor store dumpster.
• Analysts noted his calm, methodical demeanor and efforts to conceal his identity (wearing gloves, a mask, paying in cash).
  • Quote:
    "He went right down the aisle, thought what he was going to pick out… did it slowly and deliberately. It just shows the type of individual that he is."
    — Michael Cohen, NBC10 Legal Analyst (10:09)
  • Notable Moment:
    Surveillance shows Walshe with a child, catching his reflection and fixing his hair.
    • "…he was so detached from what he was actually doing with the child there, buying these materials…he just does what he always does and looks in the camera and flips his hair. Not at all concerned, by the way, that he’s being recorded."
      — Sue O’Connell, Courtroom Insider (17:43)

3. Forensic Evidence: Blood Traces and Tools

• Testimony revealed that several tools (knife, hammer, hatchet, stains on the basement floor) tested positive for blood.
• A state police forensic expert described the planned subsequent DNA analysis to match blood on crime scene items with Anna Walsh's DNA.
  • Quote:
    "The screening tests for BL was positive on this blade."
    — Glenn Jones reading witness testimony (04:52)
  • Explanation: DNA profiles will close the evidentiary loop even in the absence of a body.
    • "…they were just setting the stage today. And then close the loop once it gets to the DNA expert."
      — Michael Cohen (13:28)

4. Brian Walshe’s Guilty Pleas to Lesser Charges

• At the outset of the trial, Walshe pleaded guilty to misleading police and disposing of Anna’s remains—leaving only the murder charge for the jury.
  • Quote:
    "On the first day of jury selection… Walsh pleaded guilty to misleading police and disposing of Anna Walsh’s remains."
    — J.C. Monahan (07:26)
  • Discussion centered on how these admissions simplify the prosecution’s case and whether/when the jury should be informed about the guilty pleas.

5. Legal Strategy: Proving Murder without a Body

• With Walshe’s admissions, analysts agreed the prosecution no longer needs to build a case proving basic facts, enabling them to focus squarely on first degree murder.
  • Quote:
    "In some ways, what they’ve done is made the Commonwealth’s job much easier."
    — Neil Fagel, Criminal Defense Attorney (09:02)
• Debate continues on whether information about the guilty pleas should be shared with jurors, and how the judge’s instruction may affect appeals and outcomes.
  • Quote:
    "She has to be very careful and do it the correct way. And I don’t think anybody’s going to be happy in how they do it."
    — Michael Cohen (12:48)

6. Comparison and Stakes: Karen Read Case & DA’s Office

• The episode compares the approach and outcome of the Karen Read trial (where the jury convicted only on a lesser OUI charge) with the Walshe trial.
  • "…the Karen Reid retrial… gave [jurors] an opportunity to hold her responsible for something she admitted or could be proven that she did."
    — Sue O’Connell (20:09)
• Analysts discuss pressure on DA Michael Morrissey to secure a conviction, given the public controversy and criticism from the Read case.
  • Quote:
    "Yeah, short answer is yes, I think they already have a win with the conviction on counts two and three. But yes, I think they do need a conviction."
    — Neil Fagel (21:21)
  • Quote:
    "This looks like it’s going to be a win for the district attorney. It already is…I think, as Michael points out. But at the same time, those other issues are just not going to go away."
    — Sue O’Connell (22:19)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Medical Examiner on Lack of Body:
  "We did not determine a cause or manner of death… because we had no body to autopsy."
  — Richard Atkinson (03:34)

• Prosecution Strategy on Surveillance Evidence:
  "He was methodical… did it slowly and deliberately. It just shows the type of individual that he is."
  — Michael Cohen (10:09)

• Defense on Sudden Death Theory:
  "You can have these sudden deaths… hurts a little bit. Does it create reasonable doubt? I don’t think that in and of itself will be enough…"
  — Neil Fagel (06:19)

• Forensic Linkage Without a Body:
  "…they were just setting the stage today. And then close the loop once it gets to the DNA expert."
  — Michael Cohen (13:28)

• Courtroom Insider on Walshe’s Behavior:
  "…showed that he was so detached from what he was actually doing… looks in the camera and flips his hair. Not at all concerned… that he’s being recorded."
  — Sue O'Connell, (17:43)

• Discussion on Lesser Charges & Jury Instructions:
  "She has to be very careful and do it the correct way. And I don’t think anybody’s going to be happy in how they do it."
  — Michael Cohen (12:48)

Comparison with Previous High-Profile Trial (Karen Read)

• The lawyers and reporters compare prosecution and defense strategies, jury options (possible verdicts: first-degree murder, second-degree murder, manslaughter), and how prior missteps in evidence handling (Karen Read) color expectations and pressure on the DA’s office.
• The episode reiterates that despite strong circumstantial evidence, in high-profile cases the path to conviction is fraught, and public and political consequences are significant.

Closing Thought

As the trial progresses, this episode highlights how surveillance footage and forensic science are being used to compensate for the absence of Anna Walsh’s body, while the legal teams carefully navigate the implications of guilty pleas on lesser charges. The panel underscores the high stakes for law enforcement and prosecutorial credibility in Massachusetts coming out of the controversial Karen Read case.

For full coverage and to submit questions, listeners are encouraged to follow the trial on NBC10 Boston platforms.