In a gripping new podcast interview on Hot Mics with Billy Bush, Bill Read, father of Karen Read, shared a heartfelt and sobering account of the harrowing three-and-a-half-year legal battle his daughter endured. Karen, 45, faced serious charges, including murder, in the tragic death of her then-boyfriend, Boston police officer John O'Keefe, on January 29, 2022. Prosecutors claimed she struck him with her Lexus SUV and left him to perish in a blizzard, while her defense countered with allegations of a flawed police investigation and insisted someone else was responsible. After a mistrial and a second trial, jurors acquitted her of all homicide charges but found her guilty of driving under the influence.

Bill Read didn’t hold back, calling the investigation into his daughter corrupt from the outset. "No parent, no loved one should endure what my wife, daughter, and I have gone through," he declared passionately. His warning to the public was stark: "Take back your government. If you don’t like what your leaders are doing in the criminal justice system, get them out. The next Karen Read could be you."

The night of the incident began with drinks in Canton, Massachusetts, before Karen and John headed to an after-party at another officer’s home. What unfolded after midnight remains disputed, but by 6 a.m., O’Keefe was found dead on a snowy lawn. Initially charged with manslaughter and fleeing the scene, Karen later faced an escalated second-degree murder charge—only to be cleared of the gravest accusations, though convicted of drunk driving.

Bill stood firmly by his daughter, emphasizing her honesty. "If I thought I hurt him, I’d own up to it. But I did not strike him," she told him, and he believed her. He also criticized the state’s case as weak, pointing to inconsistent evidence, questionable autopsy photos, and a lack of damage to Karen’s car that didn’t align with the prosecution’s narrative.

Beyond the courtroom drama, Bill reflected on personal connections, noting a bond with O’Keefe over sports and acknowledging Karen’s role in the lives of O’Keefe’s adopted niece and nephew. Yet, tensions linger—O’Keefe’s family has filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Karen, which her legal team is fighting to dismiss.

The case has also sparked broader fallout. Canton residents demanded an independent audit of their police department, which uncovered procedural errors but no conspiracy. Meanwhile, the lead detective, Michael Proctor, was fired for misconduct and is appealing the decision. A federal grand jury and leaked juror information have only added to the saga’s complexity.

Karen’s fight isn’t over, with a year of probation for the DUI conviction and ongoing civil battles. But Bill Read’s message cuts through the noise: this isn’t just one family’s story—it’s a cautionary tale for us all.

Justice System News

Karen Read’s Father Warns: ‘The Next Karen Read Could Be You’ After Murder Acquittal