Day 8 - May 9, 2024

Christopher Albert testified about knowing John O’ Keefe as a neighbor and friend, then described joining relatives and acquaintances at the Waterfall on January 28, 2022. He said John O’ Keefe and Karen Read later joined the group, that the atmosphere was fine, and that he did not notice anything abnormal between them. Albert described discussion of going to D&E Pizza or Brian's house afterward, said he walked home near the time John O’ Keefe and Ms. Read left, and identified them in a played portion of Waterfall surveillance. He also recounted that his wife told him the next morning that John had died and had been found on the front lawn of 34 Fairview.

Defense counsel questioned Chris Albert about his family's Canton ties and his connections to local police. At sidebar, counsel argued that relationships involving Michael Proctor were relevant to bias and credibility; the judge sustained the Commonwealth's objection to further questioning about older family connections and directed counsel to focus on two identified areas of cross-examination. Albert later said he had known Michael Proctor roughly 15 years and described a long-standing but limited social relationship with former Canton Police Chief Kenneth Berkowitz, who attended a campaign event and whom Albert believed donated to the campaign.

Defense counsel introduced Exhibit 55, a photograph Albert identified as showing himself with Kenny Berkowitz, then questioned Albert about relationships involving Canton law enforcement and his family. Albert acknowledged a long acquaintance and friendship with Lieutenant Michael Lank, said he and Michael Proctor had attended a couple of social events together, and qualified some of the defense's characterizations of those relationships. The judge sustained objections to several questions concerning Brian Albert.

Defense counsel continued questioning Chris Albert about his relationship with John O’ Keefe, his observations at the Waterfall, and the text message inviting John to join the group. A Waterfall video showed Albert leaving at about 12:13 a.m.; Albert agreed that he could not have arrived home by his earlier 12:05-to-12:10 estimate and later estimated the walk home at about five minutes. Albert said Colin was not home when he arrived and revised his earlier ten-minute return interval to "a little bit longer." He recalled Colin returning after he had fallen asleep but did not remember the exact time or confirm counsel’s proposed time after 12:35 a.m. The court addressed a misunderstanding about that timing at sidebar, admitted two photographs of Albert and Julie at John O’ Keefe's fence, and allowed a final question about whether Albert had mentioned Colin Albert's whereabouts to Trooper Proctor; Albert said he did not remember.

The prosecution clarified that Chris Albert’s son Colin came home about ten minutes after Albert got into bed and that Albert did not observe injuries on Colin, Brian Albert, or Mr. Higgins. Albert also described “Mr. Nebbercracker” as a joking nickname for John and said John found photographs taken on his fence funny.

Defense counsel questioned Julie Albert about her relationships with Michael Proctor and Courtney Proctor, including socializing and child care. At sidebar, counsel said the inquiry related to the defense's criticism of the investigation; the judge required a narrower, question-by-question approach and later sustained objections to some broader relationship questions.

Defense counsel questioned Ms. Albert about her close relationship and communications with Courtney Proctor, including calls around Karen Read's arrest and arraignment. Ms. Albert did not recall the specific calls or their duration, and said a document shown to her did not refresh her memory. The judge allowed a question about whether Courtney Proctor served as an intermediary to Michael Proctor, which Ms. Albert denied, and sustained several later questions about communications, advance notice of the arrest, and the case's public prominence.