🗣️ Witness

Karina Kolokithas

Witness who observed Karen Read and John O’Keefe at the Waterfall Bar.

Trial 1Trial 2

398 lines 7 proceedings 2 trials

About

Karina Kolokithas was with the group at the Waterfall Bar on January 28, 2022. She testified that she saw nothing unusual in Read and O’Keefe’s interactions and that Read spoke warmly about him. She also said her account of Read’s comments came from Read, not O’Keefe, who had not discussed private matters with her. Kolokithas described Jennifer McCabe directing an invitation to Read as the group left. She last saw Read and O’Keefe walking toward what she believed was Read’s vehicle, on opposite sides, and did not see what happened afterward. Called by the defense at the retrial, Kolokithas, a pharmacist, testified that Read appeared coherent and showed no signs of impairment during their roughly 50-minute conversation. She also described seeing O’Keefe kiss Read on the forehead and recalled speaking with him that night.

Trial Record (7)

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

Day 7 May 8, 2024

Direct Karina Kolokithas - Direct Examination Karina Kolokithas Adam Lally 2 highlights 173 lines spoken

Summary

Kolokithas described the Waterfall gathering, said she saw no unusual interaction between Read and O’Keefe, and identified people in video footage of the group leaving.

Highlights (2)

Quote

“I saw nothing. I did not see anything.”

Kolokithas gave a direct account that she observed no unusual interaction between Read and O’Keefe at the bar.

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Quote

“She was walking to the driver’s side. But, again, I was more concerned about crossing Washington Street and there was a little bit of snow at that point, so I didn’t see -- like I saw them walking in that direction, like her going to the driver’s side and John going to the other side, but I didn’t see anything after that.”

Kolokithas described the limits of her observations after seeing Read and O’Keefe approach a black SUV.

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Cross Karina Kolokithas - Cross-Examination Karina Kolokithas Alan Jackson 21 lines spoken

Summary

Kolokithas confirmed prior testimony about Read's positive comments about O’Keefe and agreed to a five-to-seven-minute travel estimate from the Waterfall Bar to 34 Fairview.

Redirect Karina Kolokithas - Redirect Karina Kolokithas Adam Lally 1 highlights 6 lines spoken

Summary

Kolokithas said her relationship-related account came from the defendant and that John O’Keefe did not share personal details with her.

Highlights (1)

Quote

“He didn’t tell me personal things, no.”

Limits her knowledge of John O’Keefe's private views of the relationship.

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Recross Karina Kolokithas - Recross Karina Kolokithas Alan Jackson 2 lines spoken

Summary

Kolokithas reaffirmed that Read and O’Keefe appeared affectionate that night.

Sidebar Sidebar and Early Adjournment Karina Kolokithas Alan Jackson

Summary

The court set Christopher Albert as the next witness and adjourned early, instructing jurors to return the next morning.

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

Day 27 June 4, 2025

Direct Karina Kolokithas - Direct Karina Kolokithas David Yannetti 4 highlights 183 lines spoken

Summary

Karina Kolokithas testifies about the evening of January 28, 2022, at the Waterfall bar, describing Karen Read's demeanor, sobriety, and her interactions with John O'Keefe.

Highlights (4)

Quote

“She seemed fine to me.”

Direct sobriety assessment from a medical professional who was sober herself and in close proximity to Read all evening.

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Quote

“So, John went over to Karen and he gave her a kiss on the forehead.”

Kolokithas testified that O'Keefe kissed Read on the forehead.

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Quote

“Jen went over to Karen, kind of put her arm around her, and started saying, "You're coming with me. You're coming with me."”

The court immediately sustained an objection after the full answer at row 260321. In the permitted follow-up limited to the first part, Kolokithas said the phrase "you're coming with me" stood out to her.

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Quote

“I had talked to her all night and I did not notice anything strange about her. Like, I didn't think anything of it.”

Kolokithas said she had talked with Read through the evening and noticed nothing that concerned her about Read driving.

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Cross Karina Kolokithas - Cross Karina Kolokithas Hank Brennan 13 lines spoken

Summary

Hank Brennan conducts a brief cross-examination of Karina Kolokithas, reinforcing the celebratory mood at the Waterfall bar and John O'Keefe's character as kind and generous.

Locations Touched By This Testimony

Waterfall Bar & Grille 5 procs 34 Fairview Road 2 procs C.F. McCarthy's 1 proc