Steven Mullaney Testimony & Transcripts

About

Officer Steven Mullaney of the Canton Police Department responded to the call at 34 Fairview Road in the early morning hours of January 29, 2022, arriving to find John O'Keefe unresponsive on the front lawn in heavy snow. He testified about the scene conditions, O'Keefe's body position and state, and Karen Read's extreme emotional distress. He also observed the subsequent evidence search of the property and was present when Read was placed on a Section 12 psychiatric hold following reports of suicidal statements.

Key Points

Mullaney described O'Keefe lying face up on the front lawn approximately ten feet from the curb, with frozen water on his face. He did not recall other observations or any injuries.
On direct, Mullaney testified that Karen Read was screaming 'Is that my boyfriend? Is he dead?' at the scene, and that Canton dispatch later reported she was making suicidal statements, forming the basis for her Section 12 psychiatric hold and transport to Good Samaritan Hospital.
On cross-examination, Mullaney confirmed that despite watching the evidence search of the property — including the use of a leaf blower by Lieutenant Gallagher — he never observed any of the 45 pieces of taillight debris that the prosecution later introduced as physical evidence linking Read's vehicle to the scene.
Mullaney acknowledged on cross that in roughly two hours at the scene, he never once heard Karen Read make any incriminating statement, and that he never heard her ask Jennifer McCabe to Google anything — directly countering two pillars of the prosecution's narrative.
On redirect, Mullaney was used to establish that Read's hysterical reaction was not shared by others present at the scene, with Jennifer McCabe described as notably calm by contrast — a point the prosecution framed as distinguishing Read's behavior.

Trial Record (4)

Trial 1 First Criminal Trial Apr 29, 2024 – Jul 1, 2024 4 proceedings

Day 2 April 30, 2024

Direct Steven Mullaney Adam Lally 3 highlights 127 lines spoken

Summary

Officer Mullaney described the snowy, dark response to 34 Fairview Road, emergency aid for John O'Keefe, and his observations of Ms. Read.

Highlights (3)

Quote

“There was really no snow but you could tell that he had been in the conditions. It was almost as if it was like water, kind of like frozen kind of to his face.”

Mullaney described his limited physical observations of O'Keefe when he first reached the lawn.

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Key Moment

Mullaney described being dispatched to 34 Fairview Road for an unresponsive person and arriving in heavy snow, darkness, and limited visibility to find Officer Saraf, other people, and fire personnel at the scene.

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Key Moment

Mullaney testified that he saw John O'Keefe face up on the front lawn, estimated about 10 feet from the curb, and helped firefighters place him on a backboard and stretcher.

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Cross Steven Mullaney David Yannetti 1 highlights 113 lines spoken

Summary

Mullaney described what he observed at the scene, said he did not hear the statements put to him by defense counsel, and recalled a leaf blower used during the front-lawn search.

Highlights (1)

Quote

“I was standing by. I didn't directly search for anything that I recall.”

Mullaney distinguished his role from directly conducting the evidence search.

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Redirect Steven Mullaney Adam Lally 9 lines spoken

Summary

Mullaney described differing reactions at the scene and said he saw no activity from 34 Fairview Road or nearby neighbors.

Recross Steven Mullaney David Yannetti 2 lines spoken

Summary

The court sustained an objection to the sole recross question, and Officer Mullaney was excused.

Locations Touched By This Testimony

34 Fairview Road 4 procs Canton Police Department 2 procs Good Samaritan Medical Center 1 proc