Retired Canton Lt. Testifies in Karen Read Murder Retrial

In the ongoing retrial of Karen Read for the 2022 death of Boston police officer John O’Keefe, retired Canton Police Lt. Paul Gallagher testified about the unconventional methods used to process the snowy crime scene, including using a leaf blower and collecting blood evidence in red Solo cups. Gallagher found a broken cocktail glass and blood drops near where O’Keefe’s body was discovered outside 34 Fairview Road, and emphasized he saw no evidence of items being dragged across the yard, challenging the defense’s theory that O’Keefe was moved after an altercation inside the house. Paramedic Katie McLaughlin testified that Read repeatedly said, 'I hit him,' at the scene, statements that were corroborated during cross-examination. The prosecution alleges Read struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him to die, while the defense maintains she is being framed as part of a larger conspiracy involving law enforcement. Additional testimony came from a crime lab technician and a witness at the party, with the latter denying any altercations or suspicious activity that night. The trial continues with Gallagher expected to resume his testimony.