Commonwealth v. Read — Trial ArchiveZachary Clark
Also known as: Clark
Testimony Impact
Sergeant Zachary Clark is a Massachusetts State Police crime scene technician assigned to the Norfolk CPAC unit under Lt. Brian Tully. He was called to document Karen Read's vehicle at Canton Police Department and the scene at 34 Fairview Road on February 1, 2022, the day after John O'Keefe's body was discovered. His testimony covers fingerprint processing, snow and lawn conditions, vehicle documentation, and reconstruction testing conducted that day. On cross, he was questioned about investigative gaps, including Michael Proctor's unsupervised access to Read's vehicle and the delayed interview of Colin Albert.
Notable Quotes From The Record
“The area was processed with white fingerprint powder, examined, and no impressions of value were determined to be present.”
Documents that fingerprint processing of the front passenger compartment yielded no usable evidence.
“There was an area that it did appear to be cleared and heavily trodden by footwear and tires. Still, even in that area there was a significant amount of snow with certain spots of grass showing.”
Describes the condition of the 34 Fairview lawn on February 1, relevant to the scene where John O'Keefe was found.
“Trooper Joe Paul asked, while I was there, to document a series of brake and acceleration tests with digital video that he was performing with the same vehicle. I was also asked to take photographs and video of the vehicle's backup warning system which was activated as they performed some tests.”
Documents that reconstruction testing and backup warning system analysis were conducted and recorded on the same day.
“I was advised of that fact upon my arrival.”
Clark did not know beforehand that the victim was found on Brian Albert's lawn, raising questions about information flow to crime scene personnel.
“I did not.”
Clark never asked Proctor why he waited a year and a half to interview Colin Albert, suggesting lack of scrutiny within the investigation.
“Not before it was published.”
Clark did not review Proctor's report of the Colin Albert interview before it was submitted, meaning Proctor alone controlled the narrative of that interview.
“February 1st was the only date I was called to 34 Fairview, sir.”
No crime scene technician was dispatched to document evidence reportedly found at 34 Fairview Road on multiple later dates, undermining the chain of custody for that evidence.
Key Moments
- Clark testified that fingerprint processing of the front passenger compartment of Read's vehicle yielded no usable impressions, establishing the absence of recoverable physical evidence from that location.
- Clark described the condition of the 34 Fairview Road lawn on February 1, noting that while one area appeared cleared and heavily trodden by footwear and tires, significant snow remained — testimony relevant to the scene where O'Keefe's body had been found.
- Under cross-examination, Clark acknowledged that he was never called back to 34 Fairview Road on February 8, 10, 11, or 18 — dates when evidence was reportedly found there — meaning no crime scene technician documented the evidence chain on those occasions.
- Clark admitted he did not know beforehand that the victim had been found on Brian Albert's lawn, raising questions about what information was conveyed to crime scene personnel prior to their arrival.
- Clark confirmed he never reviewed Proctor's report of the Colin Albert interview before it was submitted, and never asked Proctor why the interview was delayed nearly eighteen months after the incident — establishing that Proctor alone controlled the documentation of that interview.