Commonwealth v. Read — Trial ArchiveMichael Trotta
Testimony Impact
Michael Trotta served as superintendent of Canton Public Works at the time of John O'Keefe's death. He testified in Trial 1 about DPW plow routes, truck assignments, and staffing during the blizzard, particularly Route 11 over Fairview Road. On cross-examination, Yannetti focused on Proctor's brief telephone inquiry; Trotta described a call of a few minutes, was unsure whether the driver's full name or later interview plans were discussed, said he may have referred Proctor to the operations manager, and was unsure about later personal follow-up.
Challenges & Responses
What attorneys challenged during examination and how the witness responded.
Trotta's credibility was not directly attacked, but on cross-examination he acknowledged gaps in his own memory, conceding he could not confirm 100% what Proctor did or did not ask during their brief phone call. His uncertainty about the call's contents was used by the defense to underscore the inadequacy of Proctor's investigation rather than to impeach Trotta himself.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“That would be lower Cedarcrest, number 11. And from that, that would include lower Cedarcrest, Kings, Fairview, and Spring.”
Identifies the specific plow route covering Fairview Road where O'Keefe was found.
“Truck 30, which would be a Town of Canton truck — that's a 4300 International. Brian Loughran would be the driver.”
Names the specific truck and driver assigned to plow the route including Fairview Road during the blizzard.
“If you're sitting in the driver's seat of this 4300, you're probably somewhere around 4 to 4½ feet.”
Establishes driver sight-line height for the truck on the Fairview route — relevant to visibility and potential contact scenarios.
“They're instructed to plow the middle of the road, keep the middle of the road open.”
Describes standard plowing procedure — relevant to where plow blades would have been operating relative to the road edges and curb.
“If you ask me, do I remember 100%? No.”
Trotta cannot confirm whether Proctor even asked for the plow driver's identity during their call
“He did not ask me, no.”
Confirms Proctor never asked to speak with Brian Loughran, the driver who plowed Fairview Road that night
Key Moments
- Trotta identified Route 11 as the plow route covering Fairview Road, Cedarcrest, Kings, and Spring Streets, and named Brian Loughran as the driver of Truck 30 — a Town of Canton 4300 International — assigned to that route during the blizzard.
- Trotta testified that drivers are instructed to plow the middle of the road first, establishing where plow blades would have been operating relative to the road edges and curbs on Fairview Road that night.
- Trotta described the driver's seat height in the 4300 International as approximately 4 to 4½ feet off the ground, providing context relevant to what a plow driver would have been able to see from behind the wheel.
- Yannetti emphasized that Proctor's inquiry was a telephone call lasting only a few minutes. Trotta did not remember Proctor's exact questions, said he may have identified Brian Loughran, and believed he referred Proctor to the operations manager. He answered no when Yannetti asked whether Proctor had asked to speak with Loughran and remained unsure about broader interviews and later personal follow-up.
- On cross-examination, Yannetti questioned Trotta about Proctor's phone inquiry. Trotta said the call lasted a few minutes and that Proctor did not meet him in person at the DPW; he did not remember Proctor's exact questions, said he may have identified Brian Loughran, and believed he referred Proctor to the operations manager. When Yannetti asked whether Proctor had asked to speak with Loughran, Trotta answered no. Trotta remained unsure whether Proctor planned other interviews or later followed up with him personally.