Chris Albert Testimony & Transcripts

About

Chris Albert is a lifelong Canton resident and later town selectman whose brother Brian Albert owned 34 Fairview Road, where O'Keefe's body was found. He was present at the Waterfall Bar & Grille on January 28, 2022, and testified about O'Keefe's appearance, Karen Read's behavior at the bar, and conditions when the group departed around midnight. Cross-examination covered his family and social ties, the departure timeline, and the whereabouts of his son Colin that night.

Key Points

Albert testified that he observed Karen Read enter the Waterfall carrying a glass of wine concealed under her jacket, which he found amusing — a detail the prosecution used to suggest she had been drinking before arriving at the bar.
On cross-examination, Yannetti established that Albert's son Colin was not home when Chris arrived that night but was instead at 34 Fairview Road — a fact Albert acknowledged he never disclosed to Trooper Michael Proctor during his February 10th interview.
Yannetti revealed that one of Chris Albert's wife's closest friends is Courtney Proctor, the sister of lead investigator Michael Proctor, establishing a direct personal connection between the Albert family and the MSP detective running the case.
Yannetti used the Nebbercracker nickname, lawn-related texts, and photographs to argue antagonism between the families. Albert denied that the nickname arose from a conflict with Colin or that Colin had engaged in the asserted conduct, said O'Keefe had asked the family to watch his house, and on redirect described the nickname as a joke O'Keefe shared.
Albert's account of his departure time from the Waterfall was challenged by surveillance footage, which showed he left later than the 12:05–12:10 AM window he stated on direct examination.

Trial Record (5)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 5 proceedings

Day 8 May 9, 2024

Direct Chris Albert Adam Lally 4 highlights 186 lines spoken

Summary

Chris Albert described the Waterfall gathering, identified John O’Keefe and Karen Read in surveillance footage, and recounted learning the next morning that John had died.

Highlights (4)

Quote

“It was fine. Everyone was just having a good time.”

Albert described the group's general atmosphere at the Waterfall.

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Quote

“I didn’t notice anything abnormal.”

Albert said he did not observe anything abnormal between John O’Keefe and the defendant at the Waterfall.

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Quote

“That he was found somewhere on the front lawn of 34 Fairview.”

Albert recounted what his wife told him the next morning about where John O’Keefe had been found.

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Key Moment

Albert testified that his wife later told him John had died and was found on the front lawn of 34 Fairview.

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Cross Chris Albert David Yannetti 1 highlights 47 lines spoken

Summary

Cross-examination explored Chris Albert's Canton and law-enforcement connections; the judge limited part of the defense's proposed bias inquiry.

Highlights (1)

Quote

“It was my campaign event when I was running for select board.”

Albert identified the setting in which Kenneth Berkowitz attended an event connected to his campaign.

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Cross Chris Albert 2 highlights 74 lines spoken

Summary

Chris Albert was questioned about a photograph with Kenny Berkowitz and his relationships with Canton law-enforcement figures, including Michael Lank and Michael Proctor.

Highlights (2)

Quote

“I believe so. I’m new at them. I’m recently elected, so I’m just going through it. But, yeah, I believe so.”

Albert qualified his answer about a selectman's oversight duties by noting his recent election.

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Quote

“I don’t know if I’d call it tight.”

Albert distinguished his long acquaintance with Lieutenant Lank from the defense's characterization of their relationship.

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Cross Chris Albert David Yannetti 4 highlights 231 lines spoken

Summary

Chris Albert's cross-examination focused on Waterfall timing, text messages with John O’ Keefe, photographs at John O’ Keefe's property, and his account of returning home.

Highlights (4)

Quote

“Yeah, I’m telling him to come over and meet us.”

Albert explained that his text message to John O’ Keefe was an invitation to join the group at the Waterfall.

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Quote

“It’s over two years ago. I don’t know the precise time. That’s why I said between 12:05 and 12:10.”

Albert qualified the precision of his earlier estimate for when he got home.

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Quote

“I assume, yeah. I’d say around five minutes, I think, from the Waterfall to Maple Street.”

After the timing confusion was addressed, Albert gave his estimate for the walk home from the Waterfall.

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Quote

“Yeah. He was actually asking us to watch his house while he was away.”

Albert gave his explanation for why he and Julie were on John O’ Keefe's property in the photographs.

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Redirect Chris Albert Adam Lally 1 highlights 25 lines spoken

Summary

Chris Albert clarified timing and injury observations, then described a joking nickname and relationship with John.

Highlights (1)

Quote

“So from that point on we called him Mr. Nebbercracker. And it was a joke between John. John thought it was funny.”

Albert described the nickname as part of a joking relationship with John.

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Locations Touched By This Testimony

34 Fairview Road 3 procs C.F. McCarthy's 2 procs Canton Police Department 2 procs Waterfall Bar & Grille 2 procs