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.
A Plot for Revenge
Jackie 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."
The Accusation and the Investigation
On July 15, 2013, Detective Tamminga interviewed Josh about the accusations. Josh described the toxic environment in Jackie's home and categorically denied any wrongdoing. Despite his denials, his statements were later used against him.
The alleged victim herself initially stated that Josh never touched her at all. Over time, her story changed multiple times — her accounts were inconsistent. These shifting statements should have been a red flag, 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.
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, Tamminga was rewarded. His perfect conviction record led to a promotion: he's now the Sheriff.
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.
2015–2022: Years of Appeals, Years of Denial
- 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.
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.
2024–2025: Advocacy and Action
Bethany 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.
The Human Cost of Wrongful Conviction
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.
How You Can Help
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.
Contact your representatives. Urge them to support wrongful conviction review units, demand accountability for investigators, and push for meaningful justice reform.
Donate or purchase merchandise. Every contribution helps us investigate, advocate, and bring more stories like Josh's into the light.
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.