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 the DPW's plow routes, truck assignments, and staffing during the blizzard on the night O'Keefe was found, with particular focus on Route 11, which covered Fairview Road. His testimony also addressed Trooper Michael Proctor's brief phone inquiry into plow activity near the scene and the absence of any meaningful follow-up investigation.
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.
- On cross-examination, Trotta confirmed that Trooper Proctor's entire inquiry into DPW plow operations consisted of a single phone call lasting a couple of minutes, during which Proctor never asked for the plow driver's name and never followed up afterward.
- Trotta acknowledged he could not say with certainty whether Proctor even asked about the identity of the driver who plowed Fairview Road, and confirmed that Proctor never came to the DPW in person or made contact again after that initial call.