Commonwealth v. Read — Trial ArchiveRebecca Trayers
Testimony Impact
Rebecca Trayers worked as a bartender at the Waterfall Bar & Grille in Canton, Massachusetts, and was on duty the night John O'Keefe was last seen alive in a social setting. She testified about the bar's layout, surveillance cameras, and the patrons present that evening, placing O'Keefe alongside Brian Albert, Brian Higgins, and others at a high-top table in the lounge. Her testimony established the physical environment and social dynamics of the group's final hours at the bar before they moved to the Albert household.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“He came up to order a beer.”
Confirms O'Keefe was actively present and ordering drinks at the Waterfall that evening.
“The high top in the lounge, closest to the bar.”
Locates the last group to leave — including Brian Albert and Brian Higgins — at a specific spot in the bar.
“I believe he was standing with them.”
Places O'Keefe with the Albert/Higgins group, establishing he was socializing with them that night.
“The only people I would have recognized would be Brian Higgins and Brian Albert's wife.”
Identifies the people Trayers recognized from the group, limiting her knowledge to a few familiar faces.
“I would say yes.”
Trayers agrees the Albert family is well-known in Canton, establishing the family's local prominence.
“No.”
Trayers confirms she did not see O'Keefe buying drinks for a woman, relevant to questions about his relationship dynamics that evening.
Key Moments
- Trayers placed John O'Keefe at the bar ordering a beer and standing with the last group to leave — a group that included Brian Albert and Brian Higgins — at the high top closest to the bar in the lounge area.
- She identified Brian Higgins and Brian Albert's wife as the only people in the group she recognized by name, establishing the limits of her familiarity with those present that night.
- Trayers testified that she took out the trash at 12:16 a.m., a detail that helped anchor the timeline of the bar's closing and the departure of the final group.
- On cross-examination, Trayers confirmed that none of the Albert group appeared highly intoxicated to her — significant testimony given her professional obligation and 11-year experience monitoring patron intoxication levels.
- Defense attorney Yannetti introduced bar receipts showing O'Keefe left a $10 tip on a $16.58 tab, and Trayers agreed this reflected normal, relaxed behavior — countering any suggestion O'Keefe was agitated or distressed that evening.