Justice Hijacked: How a Revenge Plot and a 100% Conviction Rate Destroyed The life of Joshua Lee mosher
Introduction
At Wickedly Judged, we know that every wrongful conviction is more than a legal error—it’s a human tragedy. Each case represents a family torn apart, a community shaken, and a justice system in desperate need of reform. Today, we’re sharing the story of Joshua Lee Mosher, a man whose life was forever changed by a series of accusations, convictions, and an unyielding fight for the truth.
This is not just Josh’s story—it’s Amanda’s and Bethany’s, too. It’s the story of everyone who has refused to give up on justice, even when the odds seemed insurmountable.
Who Is Joshua Lee Mosher?
Joshua “Josh” Lee Mosher was, by all accounts, an ordinary man before his life was upended. In the summer of 2011, he moved in with Jackie, hoping for stability. Instead, he found himself in a tense and toxic environment that would set the stage for years of heartbreak.
Josh’s story is not just about the events that led to his conviction, but about the people who have stood by him—his sister Amanda, who has fought tirelessly for his freedom, and Bethany, his girlfriend and advocate, whose determination to uncover the truth has breathed new hope into a seemingly hopeless case.
The Timeline: How Did We Get Here?
Summer 2011–June 2012: Living With Jackie
Josh moved in with Jackie in the summer of 2011. The living situation was fraught with tension, and by June 16, 2012, it reached a breaking point. A fight between Josh and Jackie led to a domestic violence charge. Josh was arrested, convicted, and began serving time in the county jail.
June 2013: New Accusations Emerge
While Josh was still incarcerated, Jackie accused him of sexually assaulting her daughter, Valeree. The timing was immediately suspicious—Josh was in jail when the accusation was made. From the very beginning, questions swirled about the credibility and motivation behind these claims.
A Plot for Revenge
Jackie’s actions were not just about reporting a crime. Fueled by anger, she posted on social media that, while Josh was “sitting in county jail,” she would make sure he spent “the rest of his life in prison.” This wasn’t about justice—it was about making him pay for “crossing the wrong woman.” Her words foreshadowed a campaign that would turn the justice system into a tool for personal vengeance.
The Accusation and the Investigation
July–August 2013: Investigation and Charges
On July 15, 2013, Detective Tamminga interviewed Josh about the accusations. Josh described the toxic environment in Jackie’s home and noted Valeree’s odd and uncomfortable behavior. He categorically denied any wrongdoing. Despite his denials, his statements were later used against him as evidence in court.
But here’s what the prosecution never wanted you to focus on: the alleged “victim” herself initially stated that Josh never touched her at all. Over time, Valeree’s story changed multiple times—her accounts were inconsistent, and she couldn’t even keep her story straight. These shifting statements should have been a red flag to any investigator or prosecutor, but instead, they were ignored or explained away.
Rather than investigate alternative leads or challenge the inconsistencies, Detective Tamminga focused solely on proving Josh’s guilt. He never questioned Jackie’s motives or the credibility of the accusations. The investigation was never about the truth; it was about closing the case and adding another conviction to his record.
A System Built for Convictions, Not Justice
Detective Tamminga’s record is as chilling as it is revealing. Every single person he investigated for sexual assault was convicted. That’s a 100% conviction rate—an impossible statistic in any honest justice system. Instead of being scrutinized for his tunnel vision and failure to follow up on inconsistencies, Tamminga was rewarded. His perfect conviction record led to a promotion: he’s now the Sheriff.
This is not just a footnote—it’s a sign of a system that values conviction rates over actual justice. When promotions and career advancement are tied to closing cases, not finding the truth, innocent people like Josh pay the price.
August–December 2013: Questionable Connections
Shortly after the charges, Jackie and Leah (another key figure in the case) became Facebook friends. In September, Leah brought her own daughter, Taylor, to the Children Advocacy Center. These connections, and the timing of new allegations, only deepened the sense that something was amiss. It raised the question: were these relationships being leveraged to bolster a narrative, regardless of the facts?
February 2014: Trial and Conviction
On February 17, 2014, after a two-day jury trial, Josh was convicted on all three counts. He was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison. Motions to exclude prior bad acts were denied, and the prosecution’s narrative prevailed—even as the foundation of the case rested on shifting, inconsistent testimony and a revenge-driven accusation. For Josh, Amanda, and Bethany, it was the beginning of a long and painful journey through the appeals process.
2015–2022: Years of Appeals, Years of Denial
Josh’s legal team filed appeal after appeal:
May 21, 2015: Direct appeal denied.
May 2, 2016: Michigan Supreme Court remedy denied.
July 26, 2016: Reconsideration denied.
February 17, 2017: Federal writ for habeas corpus dismissed.
April 13, 2018: Leave to appeal denied.
March 5, 2019: Further appeal denied.
May 3, 2021: Direct federal appeal denied.
June 21, 2022: 6th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals—denied.
Each denial was a crushing blow. For Amanda and Bethany, it meant more sleepless nights, more unanswered questions, and more determination to fight for the truth.
2023: A New Advocate, A New Investigation
In February 2023, Bethany, an old high school friend, reached out to Josh in prison. Their reconnection sparked not only a relationship, but a renewed sense of hope. Bethany began her own investigation, diving into the details of Josh’s case and uncovering new evidence that had been overlooked or ignored.
That summer, Bethany discovered what appeared to be a social media revenge plot—evidence suggesting that Josh’s conviction may have been motivated by more than just the facts of the case. This revelation cast serious doubt on the original charges and the integrity of the investigation.
2024–2025: Advocacy and Action
Bethany’s advocacy didn’t stop with her own research. In the spring of 2024, she met with her local state representative, Rep. Joseph Fox, sharing Josh’s story and the evidence she had uncovered. By September 2025, paperwork was filed with the Michigan Integrity Unit on Josh’s behalf, opening a new chapter in his fight for freedom.
The Human Cost of Wrongful Conviction
Josh’s case is a stark reminder that wrongful convictions are not just legal errors—they are deeply personal tragedies. Amanda has spent years advocating for her brother, navigating a system that often feels indifferent to the truth. Bethany’s relentless pursuit of justice is a testament to the power of love, determination, and hope.
Behind every statistic is a family waiting for answers, a community grappling with loss, and a person fighting to reclaim their life. The emotional, financial, and psychological toll is immeasurable. It’s birthdays missed, holidays lost, and futures stolen—not just from Josh, but from everyone who loves him.
What This Case Reveals About Our Justice System
Josh’s story is not unique. Across the United States, wrongful convictions continue to devastate lives. Flawed investigations, questionable witness testimony, and systemic biases all contribute to a system where the innocent can—and do—end up behind bars.
Cases like Josh’s highlight the urgent need for reform. They show us that justice, as it stands, is too often a matter of circumstance rather than truth. When the system rewards conviction rates, ignores red flags, and allows personal vendettas to masquerade as justice, it’s not just the accused who suffer—it’s all of us.
How You Can Help
The fight for justice is not one that can be won alone. Here’s how you can make a difference:
Share Josh’s story. Spread the word on social media and in your community. Awareness is the first step toward change.
Listen to our podcast episode for a detailed timeline and exclusive interviews with Amanda and Bethany.
Visit wickedlyjudged.com to learn more, get involved, and support our advocacy work.
Contact your representatives. Urge them to support wrongful conviction review units, demand accountability for investigators, and push for meaningful justice reform. Ask about their stance on case closure incentives and police promotions.
Support our sponsors. Businesses like Veteran Alliance (supporting those who have served and their families), Yarntherapy4me (crocheting beautiful, handmade bags with heart), Just an Apron (creating sweet treats that bring joy), and Liberty First Radio (a veteran-owned online radio station giving a platform to voices that need to be heard) make our advocacy possible. Show them your appreciation—shop with them, follow them, and let them know you care about justice.
Donate or purchase merchandise. Every contribution helps us investigate, advocate, and bring more stories like Josh’s into the light.
If you have information, come forward—your voice could be the one that makes a difference. Even the smallest tip or memory could help.
Join the movement. Subscribe to Wickedly Judged, leave a review, and connect with us on social media to help us keep fighting for the innocent and pushing for real justice reform.
Host a community event or discussion. Bring Josh’s story and the issue of wrongful convictions to your local group, school, or place of worship.
Final Thoughts
Justice isn’t about closing cases—it’s about finding the truth. Josh’s case is a stark warning of what can happen when justice is hijacked by personal vendettas and institutional failure. But it’s also a story of hope—of Amanda’s and Bethany’s relentless advocacy, and of a growing community determined to demand better.
Thank you for reading, sharing, and standing with us. Every voice matters. Every action counts. Let’s make justice more than just a word—let’s make it a reality.
Special thanks to our sponsors: Veteran Alliance, Yarntherapy4me, Just an Apron, Liberty First Radio, and JP Verse of Versefire Records for providing our powerful intro and outro music. Your support fuels our mission—thank you for standing with us in the fight to expose wrongful convictions and demand true justice.
