Canton Police Lieutenant Discusses Unconventional Evidence Collection in Karen Read Trial

A former lieutenant of the Canton Police Department provided crucial testimony regarding the unconventional methods employed for evidence collection at the scene of John O’Keefe’s death on January 29, 2022. This testimony shines a light on the ongoing trial of Karen Read, a Massachusetts financial analyst charged with running over her boyfriend, a Boston police officer, and leaving him to die in the snow.

The trial featured compelling testimonies from various witnesses, including Jennifer McCabe, who was present at the after-party the night O’Keefe died. McCabe also accompanied Read to the scene where O’Keefe was discovered dead the following morning.

Special prosecutor Hank Brennan presented a rapid series of witnesses. These included a blood-alcohol expert, a couple who spotted Read’s car prior to the incident, a paramedic, and the former Canton lieutenant who used a leaf blower as well as red Solo cups to gather evidence.

Former Canton Lieutenant Paul Gallagher, who was the on-scene supervisor once O’Keefe was rushed to Good Samaritan Hospital, explained the rationale behind his choice of evidence collection tools on that pivotal morning.

Unconventional Methods to Preserve Evidence

Gallagher highlighted that his decision to utilize a leaf blower stemmed from concerns that shoveling snow might disrupt crucial evidence. He remarked that the red Solo cups were ideal for holding liquid and compared the Stop & Shop bag used for transport to an evidence bag typically used by law enforcement.

During cross-examination, defense attorney Alan Jackson scrutinized the lax evidence collection standards, raising questions about Gallagher’s lack of a written account, the potential contamination of blood evidence, and the unclear chain of custody.

Jackson specifically inquired why Gallagher opted to request a leaf blower when more appropriate evidence collection materials were not secured. Gallagher defended his choices, asserting that contamination would have manifested through DNA testing, ultimately benefiting Read’s defense.

Surprising Claims in Court

According to Gallagher, the Solo cups were designed to withstand moisture. He explained, “They weren’t going to get soggy. They were large. I needed a small sample.” He felt confident that the blood, which was frozen or coagulated, could be collected, stored, and transferred to the crime lab for DNA extraction.

The decisions Gallagher made were dictated by the intense blizzard conditions and his initial belief that the situation involved an unattended death, generally indicating natural causes. Responding to the chaotic scene in his personal four-wheel-drive vehicle, Gallagher directed officers to place frozen blood into the Solo cups and store them inside a supermarket bag.

Gallagher also discovered a broken cocktail glass, which he later used the leaf blower to unveil, situated close to where O’Keefe’s body was found. Video evidence played during the trial depicted the efficacy of the leaf blower in revealing blood on the snow.

Witnesses Testify to Key Events

Katie McLaughlin, a paramedic from the Canton Fire Department present at the scene, described Read’s behavior when questioned about O’Keefe’s condition. She recalled Read asserting repeatedly, “I hit him, I hit him.” This repeated statement, according to McLaughlin, prompted a police officer to inquire further.

While questioning McLaughlin, Jackson noted that she did not take any notes during her interaction with Read. When confronted with dashcam footage, she admitted to writing O’Keefe’s vitals on her gloves, discarding them afterward without preserving any notes about Read’s alleged confession.

A Bystander’s Perspective

Ryan Nagel and Heather Maxon, who were dating at the time of O’Keefe’s death, recounted their experience outside 34 Fairview Road, where they observed Read and O’Keefe. Their testimony indicated they had not seen O’Keefe walking or entering the house at the time they were stopped outside. Their account raised pertinent questions about O’Keefe’s whereabouts when the incident occurred.

Legal experts expressed that Nagel’s testimony could bolster the defense’s position, casting doubt on O’Keefe’s location during the crucial moments leading up to the alleged incident. Attorney Grace Edwards pointed out that Nagel’s observations did not include seeing O’Keefe in Read’s car or moving across the yard.

Jackson pointed out that this testimony offers considerable support to the defense, as it raises reasonable doubt regarding Read’s claims of innocence, positing that O’Keefe may have already been inside the house when the alleged accident occurred.

Charging and Implications

Katie McLaughlin, affirming her relationship with Caitlin Albert, whose parents owned the house where O’Keefe died, reiterated that their ties did not imply a close friendship. Jackson’s efforts to connect McLaughlin’s testimony to her past history with Albert were repeatedly curtailed by the judge’s objections.

As the trial progresses, Read stands charged with second-degree murder, manslaughter, and fleeing the scene of an accident. If convicted of the most serious charge, she faces a potential life sentence. The testimonies and evidence management practices reviewed during the trial could significantly impact the court’s final decision.

Looking Ahead in the Trial

With Gallagher expected to return to the witness stand soon, the courtroom anticipates further developments in this high-profile case. Each witness’s account contributes to a complex tapestry surrounding John O’Keefe’s tragic death and Karen Read’s alleged involvement in the events that unfolded that night.