Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Margaret O'Keefe Trial 2Margaret O’Keefe is John O’Keefe’s mother, who testified in Trial 2 about learning of her son’s death and her interactions with Karen Read at the hospital and afterward. ← All People
🗣️ Witness · O'Keefe family

Margaret O'Keefe

Trial 2
93 lines 1 proceeding
Courtroom still of Margaret O'Keefe.

About

Margaret O'Keefe is the mother of Boston Police Officer John O'Keefe, whose death on January 29, 2022 is at the center of the Karen Read case. She testified in Trial 2 about the family's tragedy, including the prior deaths of John's sister and brother-in-law that left him raising two children. Her testimony focused on her phone call with Karen Read during the drive to the hospital, Read's behavior at the hospital, and events at John's home afterward. The defense waived cross-examination.

Key Points

  • Margaret testified that Read told her by phone, 'We went to a party. I left him there,' and, when Margaret asked if she had just left him there, answered yes.
  • Margaret testified that, at the hospital, she heard Read yell, 'Peg, is he dead? Is he dead?' as Margaret walked down the corridor.
  • Margaret testified that her grandson Patrick was very upset and said, 'I'll never see him again,' after the family told him John had died.
  • Margaret flatly denied that she had confronted Karen Read about John's injuries or had a conversation with her at the kitchen island — directly rebutting any defense suggestion that such an exchange occurred or that Margaret had discussed a 'hit by a car' scenario with Read at the house.

Trial Record (1)

Trial 2 Retrial Apr 22, 2025 – Jun 18, 2025 1 proceeding

Day 2

Direct Margaret O'Keefe Hank Brennan 4 highlights 93 lines spoken
Summary

Margaret O'Keefe, John O'Keefe's mother, testifies about her family, learning of her son's death, and interactions with Karen Read at the hospital and later at John's home.

Highlights (4)
Quote

“She um — I asked her what happened and she said, 'We went to a party. I left him there.' I said, 'You just left him there?' She said, 'Yes, I just left him there.'”

Margaret recounted what Read said during their phone call while Margaret was en route to the hospital.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“I don't even remember her being in the house. When she went upstairs, that's the last I saw of her.”

Contradicts any claim that Margaret confronted Read or discussed John's injuries that morning — denies the 'hit by a car' kitchen island exchange.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶

Locations Touched By This Testimony

Good Samaritan Medical Center 1 proc