Karen Read's parents no longer live in 'fear' after their infamous daughter was acquitted of killing her Boston cop boyfriend
Share and Follow

Karen Read’s parents expressed relief that their daughter, who was once feared to face a lifetime in prison for the death of her Boston police officer boyfriend John O’Keefe, has now been cleared of all charges.

Bill and Janet Read are finally able to breathe a sigh of relief more than three years after their daughter was accused of striking her 46-year-old boyfriend with her Lexus SUV in a drunken stupor and leaving him for dead outside a Canton, Mass., house party in January 2022.

“Coming to grips with the idea, that fear that we could lose Karen to incarceration given the charges is now gone, that fear has abated,” Bill told WBZ-TV, explaining that he and his wife hadn’t mentally prepared for a guilty verdict.

“We always said let’s not go too far out in our thoughts, let’s keep day to day,” Janet said.

“We feel like we should know how we feel but we don’t.”

The financial analyst was only convicted of drunk driving Wednesday, dodging more serious charges like second-degree murder and manslaughter in her second trial in the high-profile case.

Karen Read’s first trial, which drew national attention and was riddled with controversy, ended in a mistrial.

The grateful parents, who were in the courtroom everyday, said they drew their strength from their 45-year-old daughter, praising her as the defense’s “fifth lawyer” for relentlessly chasing down every lead.

“She’s determined, she’s focused, very bright, she got us through this,” Bill told the outlet, adding that the murder case’s notoriety and “dehumanizing” comments from spectators forced them to live a more secluded life.

“From this day forward, we recognize we are fortunate but we were blessed by the almighty that this, we were able to have this and now it’s imperative that others need help, that we can speak out.”

The supportive parents also admitted that their lives — and their daughter’s — will never be the same after the years-long courtroom spectacle, but said they are now focused on getting back to normal.

Janet hopes her daughter will channel her wit and experience into writing a book.

“She’s an excellent writer, she’s always been,” Janet said.

“I always thought she should go into journalism and she wanted finance.”

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Supreme Court sides with vaping industry in rejecting FDA venue challenge

Supreme Court supports vaping industry in refusing FDA’s venue challenge

The Supreme Court sided with the vaping industry on Friday by rejecting…
As Iran talks get underway, expert raises alarm over lack of plan to secure nuclear material

As Iran talks get underway, expert raises alarm over lack of plan to secure nuclear material

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! European and Iranian negotiators…
Former Dem 'super mayor' pleads the Fifth after failing to produce public records in court

Ousted Dem ‘super mayor’ charges whopping price tag for tell-all book while dodging legal troubles

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! The embattled former Chicago…
Barry Morphew indicted by grand jury for allegedly killing wife who disappeared on Mother's Day

Barry Morphew indicted by grand jury for allegedly killing wife who disappeared on Mother’s Day

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! Barry Morphew was indicted…
88 children removed from Iowa church camp in abuse probe

Investigation leads to the removal of 88 children from Iowa church camp due to abuse concerns

COLUMBUS JUNCTION, Iowa (WJW) Authorities in Iowa said 88 children were taken…
Chef Anne Burrell's death investigated as possible drug overdose, law enforcement officials say

Investigation Launched on Chef Anne Burrell’s Possible Drug Overdose, Say Law Enforcement Officials

NEW YORK — A law enforcement official says Chef Anne Burrell’s death…
Police sound alarm on dangerous 'jugging' robbery trend sweeping across America

Police sound alarm on dangerous ‘jugging’ robbery trend sweeping across America

NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! As surveillance footage of…
Purdue Pharma's $7B opioid settlement plan could get votes from victims and cities

Victims and cities may vote on Purdue Pharma’s proposal for a $7 billion opioid settlement plan

OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma ‘s $7 billion-plus plan to settle thousands of…