Josh Duggar Trial: The 5 Most Shocking Revelations From Week 1
Josh Duggar’s child pornography trial began this week, and the details that have already emerged are hard to hear. One investigator has called the allegations against the former 19 Kids & Counting star “the worst of the worst.”
The prosecution’s opening statement backed up that claim. Here are the five most shocking revelations from week one of Josh Duggar’s trial.
UPDATE: Josh Duggar has been found guilty on both charges and will be sentenced in four months. For each count Duggar faces up to 20 years in prison and fines up to $250,000.
Warning: Disturbing and graphic content ahead
5. The Judge is allowing Josh Duggar’s past molestation scandal to be brought up
Before the trial began, there was an evidentiary hearing held to determine whether or not the prosecution would be allowed to bring up Josh’s past molestation scandal. The former reality star previously admitted that when he was a teenager, he molested five young girls. Including four of his sisters.
Prosecutors wanted to use it as evidence against Josh in an attempt to show the jury a pattern of behavior. But Josh’s lawyers argued the focus of the trial should be on the current accusations against their client. Allegations that allegedly took place in 2019.
Ultimately, Judge Timothy L. Brooks ruled in favor of the prosecution. And some of the nasty details of Josh’s past behavior have already been testified to in court.
“The child pornography victims in this case are approximately the same ages as the victims of [Duggar’s] hands-on child-molestation offenses,” Brooks wrote in his order. “Accordingly, the prior-act evidence is probative of [Duggar’s] sexual interest in underage children and his propensity fo exploiting young girls.”
4. Jill Duggar is on the witness list for Josh Duggar’s trial
Josh’s sister Jill has been estranged from the Duggar family for years — especially from her parents Jim Bob and Michelle. In the YouTube videos she has posted with her husband Derick Dillard, Jill has explained the multitude of reasons why her relationship with her family is strained.
But so far, she hasn’t mentioned the situation with her oldest brother. Counting On fans know, however, that when Josh’s molestation scandal came to light in 2015, it was revealed that Jill was one of his victims.
Now, it’s been confirmed that Jill is on the list of “confirmed or potential” witnesses along with her brother Jedidiah. However, it’s not clear if they will be testifying for the prosecution or the defense.
3. Josh Duggar’s statement during the police raid is shocking
During Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent Gerald Faulkner’s testimony, he claimed that Josh asked a shocking question when federal agents raided his car dealership in November 2019.
“Mr. Duggar turned in his chair, facing me and Mr. Aycock, and asked, ‘Is this about someone downloading child pornography?'” Faulkner recalled.
2. The prosecution warned jurors during their opening statement
When the prosecution in Josh’s case delivered their opening statement, they warned the jurors that the details about Josh’s alleged crimes are disgusting.
According to the court transcripts, prosecutors said that the 33-year-old should be put in prison so he couldn’t claim more victims.
“You’re going to see images of children, some as young as seven,” the prosecutor said. “These children are being sexually assaulted, violated, and exploited. We ask that you hold him accountable.”
US Assistant Attorney Dustin Roberts explained that in one instance, Josh downloaded a series of images titled “Marissa.zip.”
They featured a girl around the age of eight exposing her genitals and then putting her in a cage.
1. Josh Duggar molested his sister Joy-Anna Duggar when she was just five years old
Former Duggar family friend Bobbye Holt took the stand during the evidentiary hearing. And testified that Josh’s youngest victim was his sister Joy-Anna (referred to in court as Jane Doe four) when she was just five years old.
“[Josh] explained that Jane Doe four was sitting on his lap during Bible time and he touched her inappropriately,” Holt explained to the court. “He said it happened that day. On that date, he told us that he touched her vaginal area.”
Showbiz Cheat Sheet will continue to follow this story as it develops.
