DEDHAM, Mass. — The Karen Read murder trial shifted outside the courtroom on Friday as jurors traveled to Canton to view the scene where Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe was found unresponsive in the snow in January 2022.
[ A murderous romance or a frame job? Key things to know so far about the Karen Read trial ]
Before jurors made the 20-minute drive south to 34 Fairview Road, Canton Firefighter/Paramedic Katie McLaughlin returned to the witness stand for cross-examination.
- Watch Live: Testimony in Karen Read murder trial resumes after jurors view crime scene
- Testimony is also streaming on YouTube, Facebook, and X
- Live court updates from Boston 25′s Ted Daniel
During a compelling cross-examination, Read’s attorney Alan Jackson grilled McLaughlin about her apparent friendship with Caitlin Albert, who was alleged to be at a party inside the home of retired Boston Police Officer Brian Albert, on the night O’Keefe’s body was found outside.
Jackson asked McLaughlin about a photo of her with her arm around Caitlin Albert. McLaughlin said she didn’t recollect where or when the picture was taken or remember the last time she communicated with her.
When jurors returned from the view shortly before 1 p.m. the prosecution called Canton Fire Lt. Greg Woodbury to the stand.
Woodbury testified that O’Keefe was covered in snow and not breathing when he arrived at 34 Fairview Road. He said O’Keefe had “prominent bruising” to his right eye and injuries to his arm.
The court-conducted view comes after three days of testimony from first responders who were called to the scene of O’Keefe’s death on Jan. 29, 2022.
Read has been charged with second-degree murder and other charges in O’Keefe’s death.
Prosecutors say Read dropped O’Keefe off at a house party just after midnight and as she made a three-point turn, she allegedly struck O’Keefe before driving away. The defense alleges state and local law enforcement officials have framed her and allowed the real killer to go free.
On Thursday, those first responders testified that they tried to resuscitate O’Keefe. Dashcam video from a Canton police cruiser was also played, showing blizzard conditions at the scene.
This browser does not support the video element.
They were also questioned about what Read did or did not say as they prepared to transport O’Keefe to the hospital.
Two more Canton first responders said that they heard Read making incriminating statements. But one was questioned if he had ever shared Read’s admission before.
“She just repeated the phrase over and over again. I hit him, I hit him,” Canton Fire Lt. Anthony Flematti recalled. Firefighter Katie McLaughlin also said Read repeated, “I hit him.”
But when defense attorney Alan Jackson asked, “Have you ever said that in any context either to the police or to the grand jury before today?” Flematti said, “I don’t recall.”
McLaughlin said another woman on scene told Read she was hysterical and needed to calm down. McLaughlin also said she did not follow up because she had to drive the ambulance and it was said in front of a police officer.
But one Canton firefighter said he heard something else.
Attorney David Yannetti questioned Lt. Francis Walsh, asking, “It was very easy for you to discern that her words were he’s dead, he’s [expletive] dead. Correct?” “Correct,” said Walsh.
After court, Yannetti commented on the testimony heard Thursday.
“I think they were all over the map, weren’t they? Everybody had a different version of what was said and I think much of it was unreliable,” he said.
Part 1 - Day 4 of testimony in the Karen Murder trial (Friday, May 3, 2024):
Day 3 of testimony in the Karen Murder trial (Thursday, May 2, 2024):
Tuesday, April 30, 2024: Canton police officer, firefighters testify on 2nd day of Karen Read murder trial:
Monday, April 29, 2024: Opening statements, testimony begins in Karen Read murder trial:
Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.
Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW