Commonwealth v. Read — Trial Archive
Person Michael Camerano Trial 1Trial 2Michael Camerano, a longtime friend of John O’Keefe, spent the evening of January 28, 2022 with him at C.F. McCarthy’s and testified that he woke to missed calls and drove to O’Keefe’s house the following morning to pick up O’Keefe’s niece. ← All People
🗣️ Witness

Michael Camerano

Trial 1Trial 2
534 lines 4 proceedings 2 trials
Courtroom still of Michael Camerano.

About

Michael Camerano, a longtime friend of John O'Keefe connected through their children and mutual friends the Robertses, testified in both trials about the evening of January 28, 2022, when the two families celebrated their daughters' acceptance to Bishop Feehan High School over drinks at C.F. McCarthy's bar. He observed Read and O'Keefe together that night. In Trial 1, he said he woke at 5:36 a.m. to missed calls from Read and his wife; in Trial 2, he estimated that he drove to O'Keefe's house between 5 and 6 a.m. to pick up O'Keefe's niece. He testified that the garage door was open when he arrived.

Key Points

  • Camerano testified that the garage door was open when he arrived at O'Keefe's house. He said he focused on clearing snow and closing it because he thought O'Keefe would be upset if snow entered the garage.
  • After waking to missed calls from Read and his wife, Camerano called his wife and drove to O'Keefe's house to pick up O'Keefe's niece. He saw O'Keefe's vehicle in the same place as the night before and Read's vehicle near the garage.
  • In Trial 2, Camerano said Read and O'Keefe greeted each other affectionately at C.F. McCarthy's and that he observed no argument or tension that night. He also said he did not know what occurred between them behind closed doors.
  • Camerano testified that the only complaint he recalled O'Keefe making about Read was that she spent too generously on his children.
  • Camerano said Kaylee O'Keefe looked distraught when he picked her up. He later returned her to O'Keefe's house after Paul O'Keefe called and told him John had died.

Trial Record (4)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 2 proceedings

Day 7

Direct Michael Camerano Adam Lally 2 highlights 327 lines spoken
Summary

Camerano described January 28 plans with John O’Keefe, the C.F. McCarthy’s visit, and his next-morning return to One Meadows Ave.; text and video exhibits were admitted.

Highlights (2)
Quote

“John asked me. I backed up so John could move his car out of the way so Karen could pull his, pull her car into the garage because of the snowstorm.”

Camerano described the stated reason for moving the vehicles before leaving One Meadows Ave.

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Quote

“I see a lot of missed calls, a bunch of missed calls from Karen and missed calls from my wife’s work.”

Camerano described what he saw on his phone the following morning before calling his wife.

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Cross Michael Camerano Alan Jackson 1 highlights 50 lines spoken
Summary

Camerano described O’Keefe and Read as a close couple, recalling only limited disagreements about spending on the children and no breakup discussion.

Highlights (1)
Quote

“No. I did hear him complain about, like, when he would -- when Karen would buy like very nice things for the kids. Like, he wouldn’t like that, stuff like that, or take the kids to get their nails done, or something like that.”

Camerano distinguished minor disagreements over spending on the children from broader relationship conflict.

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

Day 3

Direct Michael Camerano Hank Brennan 4 highlights 94 lines spoken
Summary

Michael Camerano testifies about the evening of January 28, 2022, celebrating his and John O'Keefe's daughters' school acceptances, going to C.F. McCarthy's bar, and picking up Kaylee O'Keefe the next morning after learning John was missing.

Highlights (4)
Cross Michael Camerano David Yannetti 3 highlights 63 lines spoken
Summary

Defense attorney Yannetti cross-examines Michael Camerano to establish Karen Read and John O'Keefe's relationship as happy, affectionate, and normal on the night of January 28, 2022.

Highlights (3)
Quote

“he would get upset over if she bought expensive things for the kids”

Camerano offers O'Keefe getting upset over Read buying expensive things for his niece and nephew as an example of their disagreements.

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Quote

“Yes. Extremely.”

Camerano's emphatic agreement that O'Keefe moving his car so Read could use the garage was 'extremely' thoughtful, reinforcing the chivalry and care in the relationship.

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Quote

“she didn't want other women around John”

On redirect, Camerano volunteers an observation about Read's jealousy — the only testimony cutting against the defense's happy-couple narrative.

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Locations Touched By This Testimony

C.F. McCarthy's 4 procs Waterfall Bar & Grille 1 proc