Anna Duggar ‘MANIPULATED’ widow into writing letter begging judge to give ‘evil’ Josh a lenient prison sentence
JOSH Duggar's wife Anna has been accused of "manipulating" their family friend into begging a judge for leniency in his prison sentence.
The Duggar family pastor's widow Denise Wilson wrote a letter to the judge last week in which she called Josh "loving" and "dedicated".
Denise's daughters and son-in-law have now spoken out and claimed she was "brainwashed" and "deceived" into supporting Josh.
Her son-in-law James Weeks posted on Facebook: "News coverage of Josh Duggar's sentencing today revealed that my mother-in-law, under the manipulation of Anna Duggar, wrote a letter to the judge asking for leniency in the sentencing of Josh's child pornography case.
"Neither I nor my wife knew she was planning to do so and I feel that our position should be made abundantly clear. My wife and I are in no way in favor of leniency or mercy towards any pedophile."
He added: "Status as a family member, former friendship, past good deeds, nor any other factor should be of consideration when dealing with such.
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"We disavow the letter that was written by [Denise] and find any defense of such a person reprehensible."
Denise's daughter Rachel added that Josh was "working to make sure he looked like the perfect Christian man to everyone around him".
She added that "thanks to obscene levels of brainwashing, he succeeded with hundreds of people".
Her other daughter Lana agreed, posting on Facebook: "Some of the Duggars and their friends, including my mother, have been deceived into thinking that he is somehow innocent and wrongly accused."
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In the letter exclusively revealed by The Sun, Denise said Josh, 34, and Anna, 33, had helped support her and her nine children financially after the death of her husband.
DENISE'S LETTER
"Josh told me he and Anna were going to support me and my family monthly to keep up my finances. When he told me how much it would be. I was shocked. It was a gracious amount," she wrote.
"Josh acted as if it was just a natural thing to do. He told me 'We're just doing what the Bible says... to have pure religion is to visit the Fatherless and Widows in their affliction.'"
She added: "I saw Josh is a loving husband to Anna respecting her and serving her. I saw his devotion to his children by paying attention to their needs and encouraging them to live right."
She also called the disgraced reality star "humble and accountable" with a "servant's heart."
PRISON SENTENCE
Josh was sentenced to 12 years in prison last week on child pornography charges, which the judge called the "sickest of the sick".
Anna stormed out of the court looking emotional when the judge handed out his sentence.
Josh was found guilty in December of possessing and receiving child pornography and faces up to 20 years in prison.
Anna has supported the disgraced Counting On alum throughout his trial.
The Sun can exclusively reveal Anna and Josh's mom Michelle, 55, were his only immediate family members to write letters to the judge.
In Anna’s letter, she described her husband of 13 years and father of her seven children as “considerate, respectful, quick to forgive, patient and genuinely the kindest person.”
ANNA'S PLEAS
Her letter read: “Joshua has worked hard to provide for me and our (now) seven children.
"But the happiest part of the day by far is when Daddy comes home from work, and his cheerful voice fills the house. ‘Hey, guys! How's it going? What did you learn about in school today?’ are usually the conversation starters in between greeting each of our children.
“Joshua is an engaged dad who gladly throws a football with his sons, listens to our daughters play a new song they have learned on the piano, helps answer homework questions, or lends a hand sweeping up spilled crackers."
Anna added: “He is a kind, loving, supportive, and caring father and husband — his primary focus in life.
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"My children and I rely on Joshua for financial, emotional, and physical support. Many others depend on Joshua, too."
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Anna has been married to Josh since 2008 and has seven children with him.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.
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