JILL, Jessa, Jinger and Joy-Anna Duggar’s trial in their lawsuit against police has been delayed after the sisters suffered through their disgraced brother Josh’s child pornography cour war.
In 2015, a 33-page Arkansas police report was released to the public, claiming dad Jim Bob confessed to local authorities that his eldest son Josh fondled the breasts and genitals of young girls while they were asleep in the Duggar family home years prior.
Josh’s younger sisters Jill, 30, and Jessa, 29, came forward as two of the alleged victims in an interview with Megyn Kelly, where they insisted they had forgiven Josh, who was never charged, for his sins.
In May 2017, Jill and Jessa sued the City of Springdale, police department employees and other Defendants for invasion of privacy and more, claiming releasing the records caused “extreme mental anguish and emotional distress.”
Sisters Jinger, 27, and Joy-Anna, 24, are also suing, though they have not publicly come forward as victims of the alleged molestation.
The Celeb Report can exclusively reveal the trial has been postponed to April 18, 2022 with a backup date of June 20, 2022 if the court has scheduling conflicts.
The trial is expected to last seven days and will include an eight-person jury.
A pre-trial conference has been scheduled for April 11, 2022.
Depositions to be used at trial must be filed by March 14, while a “final” witness list must be submitted by April 4.
A settlement conference has been set for February 18.
The Celeb Report previously reported the trial had been scheduled for December 9, 2021.
But their brother Josh’s child pornography trial lasted from November 31 to December 9 with the same judge.
FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
The Celeb Report also recently reported the famous sisters hired attorney Hilary Potashner to join their legal team.
The former Federal Public Defender’s bio reads: “Having built her reputation as a skilled courtroom advocate, Hilary is being honored by the Los Angeles County Bar Association Criminal Justice Section as the 2020 Defense Attorney of the Year.”
The attorney has other accolades and major case wins listed on her law firm’s website as well.
One source close to the family told The Celeb Report that Josh’s conviction on child pornography charges could impact the outcome in the sisters’ case.
The source said: “They’ve been allowed to proceed on their case against the police department and a couple of police officers.
“That was supposed to go to trial the same week as Josh’s trial, but it got reset.
“If there is a trial, the damages could be cut as a consequence of Josh’s conviction.”
CHILD PORNOGRAPHY TRIAL
Josh, 33, was found guilty of possessing and receiving child pornography on December 9 after a nearly two-week trial.
Among the most shocking revelations was the testimony from Josh’s ex-girlfriend’s mother, Bobye Holt, who broke down in tears and claimed in court that he once confessed to molesting a 5-year-old girl when he was a teen.
Bobye told the jury at trial that she visited the Duggar’s home when Josh was 15, and at that time he confessed to touching the 5-year-old girl inappropriately.
She said at trial: “We have been friends with the Duggars for 36 years. Our children were best friends,” she told the courtroom.
“Our oldest was Josh’s girlfriend in November of 2002. It was formal. They were 14.”
Bobye continued to the jury: “On March 23, 2003, Mr. Duggar asked us to come over for an important matter. They took us to their bedroom. Josh was on the floor.”
According to Bobye, Josh admitted to inappropriately touching several girls when he was “12 to 15 years old.”
Bobye alleged the youngest girl was 5-years-old and her molestation occurred during bible time.
The family friend then broke down in tears, as she revealed horrifying details of the molestation confession The Celeb Report has chosen not to include in this post.
She then testified that the plan was for her daughter and Josh to “get married,” but the parents decided to call off the courtship after learning of the alleged sexual abuse.
She explained: “He told us so our oldest daughter would know why the relationship had to end. Josh went to a facility for troubled youth.”
FOUND GUILTY
The oldest Duggar sibling was immediately taken into custody at Washington County Jail, where he was placed in solitary confinement away from other prisoners for his safety until his sentencing next year.
He faces 20 years for each of the two counts.
His legal team vowed to appeal the guilty verdict right after the jury handed over their decision to the judge.
Many members of the Duggar family sat in on the trial.
Siblings Jana, Jason, Joy-Anna, her husband Austin Forsyth, Justin, his wife Claire, Jessa, Jill, and her husband Derick Dillard, along with dad Jim Bob, were all present at some point.
Jinger, who lives in Los Angeles with her husband Jeremy Vuolo, did not attend the trial.
Though Josh didn’t cry after hearing the guilty verdict, he was “teary-eyed” and “solemn” when handcuffed, according to The Celeb Report’s reporter at the scene.
He told his wife, who has stood by his side and attended trial every day, that he “loves her” before he was taken by authorities.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call RAINN (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network) at 800-656-HOPE (4673).
