Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Matthew McCabe Trial 1Matthew McCabe, husband of Jennifer McCabe, was part of the group at 34 Fairview Road on the night of January 28-29, 2022, and testified about his observations of a dark SUV as it changed position outside the Albert residence. ← All People
🗣️ Witness

Matthew McCabe

Trial 1
893 lines 7 proceedings
Courtroom still of Matthew McCabe.

About

Matthew McCabe, husband of Nicole Albert's sister Jennifer McCabe, was among the group invited from the Waterfall Bar & Grille to 34 Fairview Road on the night of January 28-29, 2022. His testimony spans two days and covers the group's movements that evening, his observations of a dark SUV — which he identified as Read's vehicle — repositioning multiple times outside the house without anyone entering, and his account of being woken by Karen Read's screaming phone call the following morning before arriving at the scene where O'Keefe's body was found. He also testified about post-incident communications with members of the Albert family.

Key Points

  • McCabe testified that he looked outside at intervals and saw a dark SUV in three progressively farther positions along the road. He said he did not see anyone outside the vehicle.
  • On the morning O'Keefe was found, McCabe testified he was awakened by the sound of Karen Read screaming 'Jen, Jen, Jen' — and that when Read later told him she didn't know where John was and had last seen him at the Waterfall, he disbelieved her because he had personally observed her SUV arrive at 34 Fairview that morning.
  • McCabe testified that, during an early-morning phone call while he and Jennifer were still in the bedroom, Read said she had broken or cracked her taillight.
  • On cross-examination, Yannetti questioned McCabe about a February 1 group text in which McCabe wrote, 'Tell them the guy never went in the house,' and Brian Albert responded, 'exactly.' McCabe later said that 'them' referred to Channel 4.
  • During recross, Yannetti extracted an admission from McCabe that his instruction in the group text was directed at Channel 4 news — narrowing the scope of his redirect testimony that he had never told anyone what to say.

Trial Record (7)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 7 proceedings

Day 13

Direct Matthew McCabe Adam Lally 3 highlights 326 lines spoken
Summary

McCabe described the group’s movements from the Waterfall to 34 Fairview, his observations of a dark SUV outside the house, and waking to screams the next morning.

Highlights (3)

Day 14

Direct Matthew McCabe Adam Lally 5 highlights 100 lines spoken
Summary

McCabe described early-morning calls, his trip to Fairview after his wife said John had been found, and later police interviews.

Highlights (5)
Quote

“I awoke to the screaming of, "Jen, Jen, Jen, Jen," so when I woke up I thought there was somebody in my bedroom”

McCabe described the call that woke him and began his account of the morning.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“There were multiple calls. I don’t recall what calls were made what time, but the next call, we were informing the defendant that, wait, we saw your car, we saw you come to 34 Fairview.”

He described the sequence of calls while qualifying that he could not place each call at an exact time.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“She is the one that can get in the room, sit, relax, hold their hand, make them feel comfortable.”

McCabe described his wife's customary demeanor in crises after the court allowed the question.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Key Moment

McCabe testified that he awoke shortly before 5:00 a.m. to loud repeated calls for “Jen,” then heard his wife say she was speaking with Karen, who could not find John.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Show 1 more
Key Moment

McCabe testified that, after his wife reported that John had been found at Fairview, he drove there and encountered first responders and police vehicles amid heavier snow.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Cross Matthew McCabe David Yannetti 4 highlights 424 lines spoken
Summary

Defense counsel tested McCabe's SUV observations, memory of earlier statements, and February 1 group texts with members of the Albert family.

Highlights (4)
Quote

“I don’t know if I can answer it. I believe it’s the second question. I told him I saw an SUV parked in front the house, then I saw an SUV move further up the right which looking out of the house would be to the right of the house so that would be when I saw the SUV to the right of the house, would be the second time I saw the SUV. I’ve always stated the SUV was in front of the house if looking out the front door.”

McCabe gave his explanation for the sequence and orientation of the SUV observations challenged on cross-examination.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“This is not funny, sir. Not at all. It’s just been two years of misery.”

McCabe responded emotionally during the dispute over his recollection of the SUV's location.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“I recall and said there was V-shaped tire tracks and I believe the question was could it be consistent with a three-point-turn. I said it could be, but I didn’t know if it was a three-point-turn.”

McCabe qualified the extent of his testimony about the tire tracks and their possible meaning.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶
Quote

“John never went in the house. It’s not a story, it’s a fact.”

McCabe rejected defense counsel's characterization of a group-text statement concerning John O’Keefe.

Open in transcript → Watch this moment ▶

Locations Touched By This Testimony

34 Fairview Road 5 procs Waterfall Bar & Grille 3 procs C.F. McCarthy's 1 proc