Week One of Brian Walshe Trial Wraps: Key Developments From Day 5

Week One of Brian Walshe Trial Wraps: Key Developments From Day 5

The first week of testimony in the murder trial of Brian Walshe in Dedham, Massachusetts, concluded Friday after the commonwealth called roughly two dozen witnesses as prosecutors seek to prove Walshe killed his wife, Ana Walshe, around New Year’s Day 2023.

Unbeknownst to jurors, Walshe has pleaded guilty to charges that he misled police after his wife’s disappearance and improperly disposed of her body; he continues to deny killing the corporate real estate manager and mother of three. If convicted of first-degree murder, he faces life without parole.

Phone Data and Messages

Massachusetts State Trooper Connor Keefe completed testimony begun Thursday about data extracted from Brian Walshe’s phone. Keefe told jurors that messages and call attempts were recorded from Brian’s device to Ana’s phone on Jan. 2–4, 2023. Ana’s phone was never recovered, and the trooper said the messages shown in evidence were never delivered to her device.

January 2, 2023
2:33 p.m. ET: Hello Thomas found the phone playing on Williams bed! William said he forgot it was there! Haha. Ok call anytime
7:18 p.m. ET: Hello
Where are you
Please call text or email
Exhausting day with the boys and we had fun
Going to bed early, big day tomorrow for everyone
I still love you!!! haha

January 3, 2023
6:39 a.m. ET: Hello / Where are you / I’m worried, please call, or email
8:30 a.m. ET: Where are you? I just called and it went straight to voice mail. Calling you in Viber now.
8:32 a.m. ET: I will call after I drop the boys. If I don’t hear from you this morning I am going to report you missing.
12:16 p.m. ET: Hello, I texted your sister and Alissa. I am calling Jeff if I don’t hear from you? Where are you?
7:03–7:04 p.m. ET: Hello / Where are you? The boys and I are worried. I’m calling work tomorrow if I don’t hear.

January 4, 2023
10:14 a.m. ET: Where are you?????????
10:15 a.m. ET: I am calling Jeff now

Physical Evidence Entered

Prosecutors introduced additional physical evidence through a retired state trooper: a hacksaw, hatchet and hammer recovered in January 2023 from a dumpster near the apartment complex where Walshe’s mother lived. The prosecution says these items were discarded to conceal a homicide; the defense disputes that characterization.

Medical Examiner

Dr. Richard Atkinson, a Boston medical examiner, testified about his efforts to determine whether human tissue could be detected on the recovered items. He is expected to resume testimony when the trial continues Monday.

Defense Strategy and Cross-Examination

Defense attorney Larry Tipton spent more than two hours cross-examining Trooper Keefe, challenging investigative choices made in January 2023 and arguing that police limited their digital review to a narrow window (Dec. 25, 2022–Jan. 8, 2023). Tipton suggested investigators selectively presented location records and searches and emphasized that the phone activity shown to jurors did not include searches about disposing of a body or cleaning up blood before the morning of Jan. 1.

Tipton told jurors in opening statements that Walshe found his wife inexplicably dead in their bed, panicked and then lied to investigators. Prosecutors say the evidence points to a deliberate cover-up rather than panic.

Questions About an Investigator

Tipton attempted to question the role of former Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, the case officer when Walshe was arrested; Proctor was later fired in July 2024 following an internal review. Judge Diane Freniere limited detailed questioning about Proctor’s conduct Friday, though the defense indicated it may revisit the matter through other witnesses.

What’s Next

Prosecutors indicated jurors will hear from Ana Walshe’s former boss — the last known person to see Ana alive other than her husband — and additional investigators who will explain evidence that led to Walshe’s arrest. It remains unclear whether Brian Walshe will testify. The judge noted the trial appears slightly ahead of schedule and said the case could be ready for the jury after roughly two more weeks of testimony from both sides.