Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Matthew Kelly Trial 1Canton firefighter-paramedic Matthew Kelly was among the first responders to arrive at 34 Fairview Road and treated John O’Keefe at the scene. ← All People
🗣️ Witness

Matthew Kelly

Trial 1
228 lines 4 proceedings
Courtroom still of Matthew Kelly.

About

Matthew Kelly was a Canton firefighter-paramedic with two months on the job when he responded to Fairview Road on January 29, 2022. He helped perform CPR on John O'Keefe, observed a swollen right eye, blood around O'Keefe's mouth, and right-arm lacerations inside the ambulance, and assisted with transport to Good Samaritan Hospital. He also testified about an unidentified woman at the scene whom he described as erratic and screaming, 'He's dead.'

Key Points

  • Kelly said O'Keefe had no pulse and was very cold to the touch and stiff when firefighters treated him.
  • Inside the ambulance, Kelly observed a swollen, discolored right eye, blood around O'Keefe's mouth, and lacerations on his right upper extremity.
  • Kelly described one unidentified woman at the scene as erratic, running around, and screaming; he did not identify her.
  • On cross-examination, Kelly testified that he did not hear anyone at the scene say, 'I hit him.'
  • On cross-examination, Kelly agreed that he had consistently reported hearing the unidentified woman say, 'He's dead,' including in grand-jury testimony.

Trial Record (4)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 4 proceedings

Day 3

Direct Matthew Kelly Adam Lally 3 highlights 104 lines spoken
Summary

Firefighter/paramedic Matthew Kelly described the snowy response, CPR, and his observations of Mr. O'Keefe during treatment.

Highlights (3)
Quote

“On the ground, I didn't observe any injuries or recall seeing any injuries at the time. It wasn't until we got him in the ambulance that I saw some injuries.”

Distinguishes Kelly's initial outdoor observations from what he reported seeing after the patient was moved into the lighted ambulance.

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Key Moment

Kelly described driving through heavy snow, wind, and low visibility to a dispatch for an unresponsive male on Fairview Road, then seeing the victim after leaving the ambulance.

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Cross Matthew Kelly David Yannetti 2 highlights 114 lines spoken
Summary

Kelly was questioned about clothing handling, emergency-response recollections, and audio from a replayed video clip.

Highlights (2)
Quote

“I remember saying a lot differently, but I might have also said that. I just don't recall.”

Kelly qualified his recollection of what he told a state trooper about the woman's statements.

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Locations Touched By This Testimony

34 Fairview Road 2 procs Canton Police Department 1 proc Good Samaritan Medical Center 1 proc