Topline: Despite driving by the scene multiple times, the snowplow operator reported nothing unusual that night.
Published: June 5, 2025 8:00 am ET
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DEDHAM, MA — Testimony continued Wednesday in the retrial of Karen Read, with two witnesses recounting details from the night Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead during a snowstorm in January 2022.
Read, 45, is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, stemming from allegations that she struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him outside a Canton home in frigid weather. Her initial trial concluded without a verdict when jurors failed to reach consensus.
On Wednesday, the defense called two witnesses, both offering insights into the early hours of January 29, 2022, WCVB reported.
The first to take the stand was Brian Loughran, a snowplow driver with the Canton Department of Public Works. He described his plowing route around 34 Fairview Road, where O’Keefe’s body was discovered. Loughran said he drove past the area three times between 2:40 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., spotting a parked Ford Edge near a flagpole but noticing no unusual activity, according to WCVB.
Loughran acknowledged inconsistencies between his current testimony and his earlier statements during the first trial, citing issues with memory. During cross-examination, Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned those discrepancies, focusing on Loughran’s visibility at the time and his conversations with a private investigator.
The second witness, Karina Kolokithas—a pharmacist and friend of Read—recounted events from that same night at the Waterfall Bar. She described a lively scene and said Read appeared sober and composed while drinking what she believed was a clear beverage. Kolokithas also said she observed affectionate behavior between Read and O’Keefe, including Read kissing him on the forehead.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” Kolokithas said in court, according to USA Today.
Jurors were then shown surveillance video of the forehead kiss from the bar.
Kolokithas added that when she left the bar with Read and others, she had no concerns about Read’s ability to drive.
Court proceedings were punctuated by numerous objections and sidebars, particularly during the showing of video evidence. Judge Beverly Cannone sustained several of the objections and ended the session just before 1 p.m., as previously scheduled.
Due to an upcoming heat wave, Judge Cannone informed jurors that court would be in recess on Thursday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Snowplow Driver Testifies He Didn’t See O’Keefe’s Body as Karen Read Trial Delayed Due to Heat Wave
Despite driving by the scene multiple times, the snowplow operator reported nothing unusual that night.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 5, 2025 8:00 am ET
DEDHAM, MA — Testimony continued Wednesday in the retrial of Karen Read, with two witnesses recounting details from the night Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead during a snowstorm in January 2022.
Read, 45, is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, stemming from allegations that she struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him outside a Canton home in frigid weather. Her initial trial concluded without a verdict when jurors failed to reach consensus.
On Wednesday, the defense called two witnesses, both offering insights into the early hours of January 29, 2022, WCVB reported.
The first to take the stand was Brian Loughran, a snowplow driver with the Canton Department of Public Works. He described his plowing route around 34 Fairview Road, where O’Keefe’s body was discovered. Loughran said he drove past the area three times between 2:40 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., spotting a parked Ford Edge near a flagpole but noticing no unusual activity, according to WCVB.
Loughran acknowledged inconsistencies between his current testimony and his earlier statements during the first trial, citing issues with memory. During cross-examination, Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned those discrepancies, focusing on Loughran’s visibility at the time and his conversations with a private investigator.
The second witness, Karina Kolokithas—a pharmacist and friend of Read—recounted events from that same night at the Waterfall Bar. She described a lively scene and said Read appeared sober and composed while drinking what she believed was a clear beverage. Kolokithas also said she observed affectionate behavior between Read and O’Keefe, including Read kissing him on the forehead.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” Kolokithas said in court, according to USA Today.
Jurors were then shown surveillance video of the forehead kiss from the bar.
Kolokithas added that when she left the bar with Read and others, she had no concerns about Read’s ability to drive.
Court proceedings were punctuated by numerous objections and sidebars, particularly during the showing of video evidence. Judge Beverly Cannone sustained several of the objections and ended the session just before 1 p.m., as previously scheduled.
Due to an upcoming heat wave, Judge Cannone informed jurors that court would be in recess on Thursday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Snowplow Driver Testifies He Didn’t See O’Keefe’s Body as Karen Read Trial Delayed Due to Heat Wave
Despite driving by the scene multiple times, the snowplow operator reported nothing unusual that night.
By Jacob Charles
Published: June 5, 2025 8:00 am ET
DEDHAM, MA — Testimony continued Wednesday in the retrial of Karen Read, with two witnesses recounting details from the night Boston police officer John O’Keefe was found dead during a snowstorm in January 2022.
Read, 45, is facing multiple charges, including second-degree murder, stemming from allegations that she struck O’Keefe with her SUV and left him outside a Canton home in frigid weather. Her initial trial concluded without a verdict when jurors failed to reach consensus.
On Wednesday, the defense called two witnesses, both offering insights into the early hours of January 29, 2022, WCVB reported.
The first to take the stand was Brian Loughran, a snowplow driver with the Canton Department of Public Works. He described his plowing route around 34 Fairview Road, where O’Keefe’s body was discovered. Loughran said he drove past the area three times between 2:40 a.m. and 6:15 a.m., spotting a parked Ford Edge near a flagpole but noticing no unusual activity, according to WCVB.
Loughran acknowledged inconsistencies between his current testimony and his earlier statements during the first trial, citing issues with memory. During cross-examination, Special Prosecutor Hank Brennan questioned those discrepancies, focusing on Loughran’s visibility at the time and his conversations with a private investigator.
The second witness, Karina Kolokithas—a pharmacist and friend of Read—recounted events from that same night at the Waterfall Bar. She described a lively scene and said Read appeared sober and composed while drinking what she believed was a clear beverage. Kolokithas also said she observed affectionate behavior between Read and O’Keefe, including Read kissing him on the forehead.
“That’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen,” Kolokithas said in court, according to USA Today.
Jurors were then shown surveillance video of the forehead kiss from the bar.
Kolokithas added that when she left the bar with Read and others, she had no concerns about Read’s ability to drive.
Court proceedings were punctuated by numerous objections and sidebars, particularly during the showing of video evidence. Judge Beverly Cannone sustained several of the objections and ended the session just before 1 p.m., as previously scheduled.
Due to an upcoming heat wave, Judge Cannone informed jurors that court would be in recess on Thursday.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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