Rotten Mango: Karen Read's First Exclusive Interview After Murder Acquittal – Part 2

Host: Stephanie Soo
Guest: Karen Read
Date: January 12, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode is the second part of Rotten Mango’s extensive interview with Karen Read, who was acquitted of the murder of her boyfriend, Boston police officer John O’Keefe, after two high-profile trials. In her first exclusive sit-down post-acquittal, Karen talks candidly about media narratives, her experience during the trial, the support and backlash she received, conspiracy rumors, her future plans, and her ongoing civil battles. Stephanie Soo gives Karen space to clarify misconceptions and share her personal reflections, with the conversation ranging from deeply emotional to surprisingly light.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Media Portrayal, Public Perception & Karen’s Demeanor

• Media sensationalism: Karen addresses how outlets like the New York Post mischaracterized her courtroom expressions, emphasizing that her so-called “sinister smirk” was simply her talking (03:12).

  “I’m not smirking. I’m actually just speaking… I don’t believe I spoke ever. Or turned to speak to a lawyer while the photos of his body were up on the projection.” – Karen Read (03:12)

• Emotional expectations: Karen discusses criticism around her emotional restraint, acknowledging she chose stoicism for self-protection (05:46).

  “You can’t win for losing. Yeah. If you're crying, then... I am out of tears. I have mourned for months and years before the public ever knew me.” – Karen Read (05:46)

• On public scrutiny: The impossibility of satisfying public or media expectations, and the emotional toll of being watched for every reaction.

On Prosecutors & Key Figures

• Lunch with the enemy: When asked which prosecutor she’d choose for lunch, Karen picks Brennan over Lally, citing more potential for interesting stories, though she doubts either’s integrity (08:05).

  “I don’t think they’re honorable. I don’t think they have integrity. I don’t think they’re honest. I wouldn’t want to eat or watch either of them eat. But I think I’d have better stories to tell eating with Hank Brennan.” – Karen Read (08:07)

• Trial performance: Karen notes that the opposing team were oddly underprepared, and critiques Brennan’s lack of detail in closing arguments (09:07–10:32).

Truth, Rumors, and Online Speculation

• Wish for truth serum: Given the chance, she’d inject Michael Proctor and Brian Albert for the truth about the night of O’Keefe’s death and subsequent cover-up possibilities (10:48).
• Rumors: Karen addresses wild online theories, including those about swinging in Canton and alleged affairs—claims she neither confirms nor denies, citing John O’Keefe himself as a source of some local gossip (22:47).

Community Support & Public Encounters

• Boston’s response: Karen shares stories of overwhelming public support in Boston, except for one hostile street encounter (12:45).

  “That is the only time that has happened. Everywhere I go, I’m supported.” – Karen Read (14:15)

• Selfies and awkward moments: The double-edged sword of public attention—she can’t say no without backlash, but saying yes leads to speculation about her attitude or innocence (18:21).

Reddit, Social Media & Online Comments

• Reddit’s role: Karen uses public forums for factual recall during trial. She prefers Reddit’s intelligent discussion to more vitriolic platforms like Twitter (20:12).

  "I've always been pleased at the discussions I've seen on Reddit. They seem, they're intelligible and they're intelligent.” – Karen Read (20:38)

Karen’s Life Before & After the Trial

• Teaching and finance: Reflects deeply on her teaching career, her methods, and the rewards of student engagement (29:07–33:53).

  “Teaching kept me sharp in a different way… You have to be prepared every class that there is a student smarter than you… But I loved it. I loved the students. I love being back on campus.” – Karen Read (29:12)

• Impact on her legacy: Karen does not see herself as a future lawyer—the legal system is “too broken”—but wants her legacy to be about changing criminal justice (33:57).

Behind the Scenes: Defense Team & Law Students

• Crash Gradies: Describes how a group of law student interns (nicknamed Crash Gradies) became essential to her trial preparation, forming a tight-knit group (37:14).
• Camaraderie under pressure: Gives anecdotes on their crucial role and lasting friendships that emerged from the ordeal.

Ongoing Civil Lawsuits & Financial Struggles

• Multiple civil cases: Outlines the enormity of her current legal battles (Keefe wrongful death, against Canton PD and Massachusetts State Police, a federal case), all costly and complex (51:06).
• Financial realities: Dispels rumors of profiting from media deals, outlines the assets lost (including her home and treadmill), and credits communal generosity for survival (54:26).

  “I have not made anything. Not a dime. I don’t have a movie. I don’t have a book. When I do, you’ll know.” – Karen Read (57:45)

On the Lifetime/Amazon Dramatizations & Book Deals

• No compensation from adaptations: Confirms she’s uninvolved and uncompensated by any movie or TV project based on her case (58:15–60:25).

  “I have nothing to do with that… I will not be making any money from that.” – Karen Read (58:21, 60:25)

• Future book hopes: Intends to write a book eventually, both for financial and cathartic reasons (41:02).

Reflections on Objects, Memory & Meaning

• Most meaningful objects: Lists her rosary beads, courtroom art and photographs with family—material possessions now mean little compared to freedom and relationships (61:28).

  “When your freedom is on the line, none of this material stuff…means anything.” – Karen Read (63:21)

Looking Forward

• Future plans: Hopes to leave Massachusetts, feels unsafe, and wants to focus on advocacy and storytelling rather than law (38:30, 41:02).
• Upcoming YouTube channel: Announces a new channel, “The Read Files,” launching in January 2026 (65:09).

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On public scrutiny:

  "You can’t win for losing." – Karen Read (05:46)

• On her strategy during the trial:

  “I had to go in strong. I had to go in tough, and I had to maintain it. I had to control myself as best I could… I needed to stay strong.” – Karen Read (06:13)

• On the judicial system:

  “The legal system just feels so broken… You’re just such an underdog. You’re battling the resources of the state, sometimes with a defendant that can’t even make bail.” – Karen Read (38:48)

• On internet rumors:

  “I do not know anything about that [affair]. I had heard it from John not about anyone in particular, but about couples in Canton.” – Karen Read (22:47)

• On object sentimentality:

  “I've learned to become more transient, less sentimental… nothing means that much to me anymore.” – Karen Read (63:21)

• On the possibility of a movie/book:

  “I have nothing to do with that… I will not be making any money from that.” – Karen Read (58:21) “My legacy is going to be my impact on Massachusetts and possibly broader criminal justice.” – Karen Read (33:37)

Timestamps of Important Segments

• Media headlines and Karen’s reactions: 02:54 – 05:37
• Public expectation and emotional coping: 05:37 – 07:50
• On prosecutorial integrity and courtroom stories: 08:05 – 10:32
• Who Karen wishes could be compelled to tell the truth: 10:32 – 11:48
• Encounters with detractors and the strength of community support: 12:41 – 18:21
• Navigating social media and using Reddit for the case: 20:12 – 22:19
• Rumors about Canton, John O’Keefe, and local gossip: 22:19 – 24:10
• Karen’s experience as a teacher and her changed sense of purpose: 29:07 – 33:53
• Reflection on not becoming a lawyer and her law student team: 33:57 – 38:27
• Why she wants to leave Massachusetts: 38:30 – 40:52
• Perspective on civil lawsuits and finances: 51:06 – 54:26
• Clarifying book/movie deal rumors: 58:07 – 60:28
• Objects of meaning and shifting values: 61:28 – 64:53
• Announcement for 'The Read Files' on YouTube: 65:09 – 65:17

Final Thoughts

This episode delivers a rare, thorough, and personal look into Karen Read’s mindset after the ordeal of two murder trials and public scrutiny, as well as her determination to use her experience for broader change. Listeners get both an emotional and practical understanding of the far-reaching effects of being the focus of a sensationalized criminal case—on reputation, finances, mental health, and life trajectory. Despite clearing her name, Karen’s fight—and her mission—continue.

Look out for “The Read Files” on YouTube, launching January 2026.