Josh Duggar, 33, was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography on Thursday and is in jail awaiting sentencing. His sister Jill, 30, whom he sexually abused as a child, released a statement with her husband Derick Dillard, 32. They said they have been ‘lied to so much’ so they went to court to hear the evidence themselves.
They also condemned those who have excused and enabled Josh – which appears to be a dig at Jill’s father Jim Bob. They described the trial as being like a ‘funeral’ and said they stand with Josh’s wife Anna and their children. Jim Bob and Michelle shared support for Anna and said they ‘will never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children.
Jim Bob, who is in the midst of an Arkansas State Senate campaign, only went to part of the trial, while Michelle didn’t go at all. Josh’s cousin Amy, his aunt Deanna, and Jill and Derick’s sister-in-law have also put out statements.
Who Is Josh Duggar?
Josh Duggar, 33, was convicted of receiving and possessing child pornography on Thursday and is in jail awaiting sentencing.
Moreover, Jill Duggar and her husband Derick Dillard said they have been ‘lied to so much’ about Josh Duggar’s actions that they had to hear the evidence in court for themselves — and while the trial felt like a ‘funeral,’ they believe the jury reached a ‘just verdict.’
Jill, 30, and Derick, 32, shared their thoughts on Thursday after Josh, 33, was found guilty of receiving and possessing child pornography, charges which carry up to 20 years in prison each.
In the statement, the couple used Bible verses to condemn hypocrisy, and even appeared to take a dig at Jill’s father Jim Bob with a verse about he who ‘justifies the wicked.’
Meanwhile, parents Jim Bob and Michelle released a carefully-crafted statement of their own, saying they will ‘never stop praying for Joshua, and loving him, as we do all of our children.’
Josh Duggar Family
Several members of the Duggar family — including Jana, Joy Anna and her husband Austin Forsyth, Justin and his wife Claire, and Jason — were on hand for some days of the trial to hear testimony, but as of mid-day Friday, Jill is the only sibling to have publicly shared thoughts on the proceedings or verdict.
Derick had been present for every day of the trial, usually sitting beside Josh’s wife Anna. On Wednesday, when closing statements were delivered, he was accompanied by Jill.
Jill had been on a list of witnesses that could have been called upon to testify, though she was never required to do so.
Jill had previously come forward as one of Josh’s victims, sharing how he had molested her when she was a child.
Jessa, who was rumored to be at court but was not pictured there, had also come out as a victim, while Jinger and Joy were later identified as victims in a lawsuit.
Neither Jessa, Jinger, nor Joy have released statements about the verdict.
However, some other relatives have, including Jim Bob’s sister Deanna Duggar, her daughter Amy Duggar King, and Derick and Jill’s sister-in-law Deena Dillard.
Josh Duggar Wife
He married Anna Duggar in 2008. They have children named Mackynzie Renne, Michael, Marcus, Meredith, Mason, and Maryella.
