clean_json.py

def clean_json(google_json):
    # delete anti-xss junk ")]}'\n" (5 chars);
    google_json = google_json[4:]

    # pass through result and turn empty elements into nulls
    instring = False
    inescape = False
    lastchar = ''
    normal_json = ""

    for char in google_json:

        # toss unnecessary whitespace
        if char.isspace() or not char:
            continue

        # handle strings
        if instring:
            if inescape:
                normal_json += char
                inescape = False
            elif char == '\\':
                normal_json += char
                inescape = True

            elif char == '"':
                normal_json += char
                instring = False

            else:
                normal_json += char
            lastchar = char
            continue

        if char == '"':
            normal_json += char
            instring = True
        elif char == ',':
            if lastchar in [',', '[', '{']:
                normal_json += 'null'
            normal_json += char
        elif char in ['}', ']']:
            if lastchar == ',':
                normal_json += 'null'
            normal_json += char
        else:
            normal_json += char
        lastchar = char
    return normal_json