Josh Duggar’s Plea For New Trial Denied Day Before He Learns Prison Fate

Josh Duggar was found guilty by a jury in his trial for crimes related to possession of child pornography. He’s not the only one in his family to have been accused of crimes against kids. Duggar’s recent plea for new trial has been rejected by the judge.

According to Radar Online, Josh Duggar’s appeal for a fresh trial was denied just one day before his sentencing hearing on child pornography charges. Judge Timothy L. Brooks denied his plea, finding that the discredited reality star’s arguments for acquittal were without substance.

There was significant evidence presented at trial to convince a reasonable jury that Mr. Duggar was physically present during the offense conduct and that he had the mens rea [intention or knowledge of wrongdoing] to commit these crimes. There is ample evidence he viewed the images of child pornography that had been downloaded to his business computer.

Josh will now be sentenced after being found guilty in December of one count of receiving child pornography and one count of possessing child pornography. When it’s all said and done, he may face up to 40 years in prison. 20 years for each conviction and fines of up to $500,000 and $250,000 for each count.

Josh previously pleaded not guilty in April of last year to federal counts of receiving and possessing child pornography. The latest move in his case comes after his mother, Michelle, and wife, Anna, pleaded with the judge for a shorter sentence. In her letter, Michelle praised Josh’s love to his wife and seven children as well as his faith, while Anna portrayed her longstanding partner as a dedicated family man. However, nothing could save Duggar as his fate has been decided.

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