Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Evan Brent Trial 2MSP Crime Scene Services Trooper Evan Brent photographed the evidence scene at 34 Fairview Road and Karen Read’s Chevrolet Traverse on February 3, 2022, five days after John O’Keefe’s death. ← All People
🗣️ Witness

Evan Brent

Trial 2
88 lines 3 proceedings
Courtroom still of Evan Brent.

About

Trooper Evan Brent was assigned to MSP Crime Scene Services and dispatched to document two locations on February 3, 2022: the front lawn of 34 Fairview Road where O'Keefe's body had been found, and Karen Read's Chevrolet Traverse at 1 Meadows Avenue. His testimony addressed the physical condition of the vehicle and the scene at the time of his documentation, as well as the circumstances under which evidence was later recovered from the snow. He testified under lead investigator Michael Proctor's direction and was not recalled for any subsequent evidence recoveries at 34 Fairview Road.

Key Points

  • Brent testified that when he photographed Karen Read's Chevrolet Traverse from all angles on February 3, he observed no visible damage to the vehicle.
  • On cross-examination, Brent testified that he had no personal knowledge of who had access to 34 Fairview Road's lawn during the five days before his February 3 arrival; he was not aware of a guard and saw no crime scene tape or tent when he arrived. When Yannetti suggested the lawn had been open to anyone, Brent said he did not know.
  • Brent acknowledged he did not even know he was photographing the home of Boston Police Officer Brian Albert at the time, underscoring what the defense characterized as a lack of information-sharing within the investigation.
  • Brent confirmed he was never called back to 34 Fairview Road to document or photograph evidence on February 8th, 10th, 11th, or 18th — dates when additional items were recovered from the lawn — raising the question of why official crime scene documentation was absent from subsequent recoveries.
  • On redirect, Brent estimated that one recovered item was about a foot to a foot and a half under the snow. He did not offer an opinion about whether the snow preserved the item.

Trial Record (3)

Trial 2 Retrial Apr 22, 2025 – Jun 18, 2025 3 proceedings

Day 15

Direct Evan Brent Adam Lally 3 highlights 59 lines spoken
Summary

MSP crime scene services trooper Evan Brent testifies about photographing evidence recovery at 34 Fairview Road and documenting a Chevrolet Traverse at 1 Meadows Avenue on February 3, 2022.

Highlights (3)
Quote

“Some were on top of the snow. So there was some significant snow melt. I think that day it was raining out and it was much warmer than it was the previous 3 days. So some had been revealed by this melted snow. So they were on top. Others were under a foot, foot and a half of snow.”

Documents the weather and snow conditions during the evidence search, establishing that some items were buried while others had been exposed by melting.

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Cross Evan Brent David Yannetti 1 highlights 25 lines spoken
Summary

Defense attorney Yannetti cross-examines Trooper Brent about Brent's lack of personal knowledge of access to 34 Fairview Road before he photographed it on February 3 and the absence of crime scene tape or a tent when he arrived.

Highlights (1)
Quote

“I did not.”

Brent confirms he did not even know he was at the home of Boston police officer Brian Albert, suggesting limited information sharing within the investigation.

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Redirect Evan Brent Adam Lally 2 highlights 4 lines spoken
Summary

ADA Lally's brief redirect established that Trooper Brent wrote a report and took notes on February 3, 2022, and that one recovered item was approximately a foot to a foot and a half under snow.

Highlights (2)
Quote

“It detailed several items that were collected, my response times, and who else was there on scene.”

Brent described his notes as detailing several collected items, his response times, and who else was on scene.

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Quote

“I would estimate about — there was one particular item that was about a foot, a foot and a half under the snow.”

Records Brent's estimate of snow depth for one particular item; he did not give an opinion that snow preserved the item.

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Locations Touched By This Testimony

34 Fairview Road 3 procs