Thread Rating:
  • 1 Vote(s) - 4 Average
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
Joshua Young Trial
#1
Had hoped this case was followed here. Better information is found here than on the news. Love Mock and its members.Blowing-kisses
Reply
#2


This is another very sad case.

Joshua is on trial for complicity in the murder of his step-brother who was beaten to death. His father blurted out in court that he killed his step-son, that he acted alone. Some people doubt that & think his son helped.

I found a timeline -

April 2010 -- Angelina Young, Joshua’s mother, dies of a drug overdose.

April 2010-March 2011 -- Joshua Young lives in a series of foster homes, finding a stable home with Susan and Chuck Stoneburger for several months.

September 29, 2010 -- Joshua Gouker, Young's father, is released from prison.

March 2011 -- Gouker regains custody of his son, Joshua Young.

May 10, 2011 -- Trey Zwicker, 14, is beaten to death.

June 23, 2011 -- Joshua Young, 15, is arrested in connection with the death of Trey Zwicker.

November 17, 2011 -- Joshua Young is charged with murder and tampering with physical evidence.

July 26, 2012 -- Joshua Young is charged with complicity to murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence.

July 26, 2012 -- Joshua Young's father, Joshua Gouker, is charged with murder, wanton endangerment and unlawful transaction with a minor, tampering with physical evidence, torture of a dog or cat and persistent felony offender.

August 15, 2012 -- The prosecutor dismisses murder and tampering charges against Joshua Young, but complicity to murder and complicity to tamper remain.

August 20, 2012 -- Joshua Gouker, is arraigned on a charge of murder. He blurts out to the judge that he killed Zwicker and acted alone.

August 22, 2012 -- Joshua Young pleads not guilty at his arraignment.

May 10, 2013 -- Joshua Gouker pleads guilty to Zwicker’s murder.

July 26, 2013 -- Gouker is sentenced to life for the murder of Zwicker.

July 29, 2013 -- Joshua Young stands trial for complicity to murder and complicity to tampering with physical evidence. Jury selection begins.

Trey's Mom testimony -

The mother of a teenage boy who was beaten to death in May 2011 testified in a Louisville, Kentucky, courtroom Thursday about how she became suspicious that her husband killed her son.

“After Trey had died I locked his room and I took to my bedroom his pillow and some clothes that still smelled like him,” said a composed McFarland. “Josh Gouker told me not to bring my dead son to bed with me every night. So that was another extremely alarming situation that caused a lot of doubt. ”

McFarland said was she intimate with Gouker the night Zwicker died, and that Gouker spent that night in her bed.

“I questioned Josh Gouker once about if there was any possibility that he got out of that bad that night and not woke me up. He became extremely angry that I would doubt him,” McFarland said.

Gouker’s anger would routinely turn into violence, according to McFarland. She said that in December 2010, she aborted Gouker’s baby after he had become violent. McFarland also said that Gouker became enraged when she confronted him about a phone conversation she'd overheard between him and his cousin Cassie Gouker. During that phone conversation, she said she heard Gouker tell his cousin that McFarland was “expendable.”

During his opening statement, defense attorney Peter Schuler accused Josh Gouker of having a sexual affair with his cousin during his marriage to McFarland.

Earlier Thursday, Zwicker’s uncle Jereme McFarland testified that he saw Young at Zwicker's funeral and described his behavior there as "blank, null and void." He said Young did not cry at the funeral.
[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]
Reply
#3
(08-03-2013, 12:32 PM)sharit Wrote: Had hoped this case was followed here. Better information is found here than on the news. Love Mock and its members.Blowing-kisses

Thanks for starting the thread, sharit.

Members can always start threads on any cases that interest them and post the background to get the ball rolling for commentary. (Thanks for doing that, Duchess.)

I'm not following the trial closely, but it's being televised on HLN TV and live blogs of testimony can be found here.

http://www.hlntv.com/clusters/joshua-young-trial

[Image: zwicker_0.png]
The victim, Trey Zwicker (14)

[Image: joshua_fam_split.jpg]
Trey's mom, Amanda McFarland
The murderer/stepdad, Joshua Goucker
The accused accomplice, Joshua Young (Trey's stepbrother/Joshua G's son)


Joshua Sr. (convicted of the murder) claims that he killed Zwicker alone. Prosecutors claim that Joshua Jr. assisted.

The evidence of Jr.'s alleged involvement:

-Sr.'s cousin Cassie Gouker told police she was woken up by Jr. around 2:30 a.m. saying, "I killed Trey, I killed Trey...get up you have to help me get rid of this stuff."'

-Jr. disposed of bag & bat; Cassie Gouker claims she took Jr. to a dumpster where he threw out a plastic bag and a bloody bat (which were never found by police).
Reply
#4
No murder weapon recovered

Nichols (forensic pathologist for the defense) said the injuries on Zwicker’s body were too small to be caused by a baseball bat like the blood-covered Louisville Slugger that Cassie Gouker claimed to have seen in Young's hands.

Defense attorney Peter Schuler asked, “What did do it, doctor?”

During Nichols' testimony, the defense presented graphic photos of Zwicker’s broken, deceased body to the jury. Young did not look at the photos. Instead, he covered his face with his hands and looked down during as they were shown on an overhead projector.

Prosecutor Erin White suggested during her cross-examination of Nichols that Zwicker’s injuries could have been caused by the handle of a baseball bat, which is more narrow than the barrel. Nichols said he did not agree with Nichols' theory, because it didn’t make sense for someone to grip a bat by the thicker barrel and swing it. He said using the handle to strike someone is an inefficient way to apply force.

Investigators never recovered a murder weapon in the case, and White said during her opening statement that she didn't know if Zwicker was killed with a bat or a pipe.

ETA: Sr.'s story is that he killed Zwicker with a pipe because he snapped when his stepson, Trey Zwicker, stole some food and a lighter from him.
Reply
#5
Credibility issues for prosecution key witness, Cassie Gouker

The prosecution is relying upon the testimony of Cassie Gouker, (a thief), who said that Jr. contacted her after the murder and asked her to help him get rid of the murder weapon and some bloody clothes. Sr. originally claimed his son killed Trey, allegedly believing that Jr. would get a light sentence due to his age.

Cassie Gouker had professed her loyalty to her first cousin Josh Gouker (Sr.) and may have given the early statement to help cover up his involvement in the murder by implicating Jr.

In the defense opening statement, attorney Schuler stated that Joshua Gouker, (a sociopath), had five women under his control who would not even speak to the police unless he instructed them to. One of these women was Cassie Gouker, (who was allegedly having a sexual relationship with Josh Gouker.) Sr. supposedly arranged immunity for Cassie in exchange for her initial statement.
Reply
#6
I dismissed Cassie's testimony immediately. It sounds to me like dad wanted his son, Young, to take the fall as a minor and then changed his mind. Fucked up.
Commando Cunt Queen
Reply
#7
Thank you all. I read some things i did not know. You guys are good! Another fine example of fucked up parenting.
Reply
#8
Joshua Gouker is such a POS.

He testified in his son's, Joshua Young, trial today.

Here's the summary:

Joshua Gouker was called to testify just after 10:30 a.m. When asked by prosecutors why he killed Zwicker, Gouker replied: "his mother killed a couple of mine -- it just felt right."

At one point, Gouker swore at the prosecutor, saying: "You are trying to put microscopic hole in [EXPLETIVE] I didn't give a [EXPLETIVE] about two years ago."

Under questioning, Gouker, who seemed to smirk as he answered questions, told jurors he asked Zwicker "if he wanted to smoke a blunt" the night of the murder. He also refused to deny allegedly conflicting stories he's told in the past, telling the court, "I am a
[EXPLETIVE] liar" and adding that he lied about everything before he was indicted.

He said Young hated Zwicker, the murder victim, and admitted that Young had claimed to have killed Zwicker.

Gouker also took a shot at the detectives assigned to the case, stating that, "It's not easy to be a mastermind when you are dealing with dumb people."

He also told the court that he had planned on killing Amanda.

At one point, the jury asked Gouker: "Do you love your son, Josh Young?"

Gouker replied, "You have to understand, I didn't even really know him."

When the jury asked Gouker if he would give his life for Young, he said "no." He also said that Young did not help him with Zwicker's murder.

Gouker's testimony ended shortly after 12 p.m.


http://www.wdrb.com/story/23046897/witne...-continues
Reply
#9
Not a monster, but a man of God?...

[Image: eztv_841_hd_ird_cnnc_tdc_441_downconvert...44m14s.png]

A man who pleaded guilty to beating his stepson to death in May 2011 used the bible to justify his actions in explosive testimony Monday in the Joshua Young trial.

Josh Gouker gave a shocking reason as to why he killed the 14-year-old in cold blood: Because Young's mother, who Gouker was married to at the time, had aborted some of his children.

“His mother killed a couple of mine, and it just felt right. I know it sounds monstrous, and all that [expletive], but it’s not. If we was in the Old Testament, it would be the same thing,” said Gouker, wearing his orange prison jumpsuit.


http://www.hlntv.com/article/2013/08/05/...er-eye-eye
Reply
#10
Never have I been so unsure about a case as I am this one. Just wondering what others think about Joshua young's innocence? Did you hear Indiana got a new zoo? They fenced in kentucky.
Reply
#11
(08-05-2013, 11:42 PM)sharit Wrote: Never have I been so unsure about a case as I am this one. Just wondering what others think about Joshua young's innocence? Did you hear Indiana got a new zoo? They fenced in kentucky.

Lol Love it! Have you read the excerpts from the letter Josh G wrote his from prison?

Josh Gouker testified Monday about what role his son Joshua Young may have had in the 2011 beating death of 14-year-old Trey Zwicker.

Gouker, Zwicker's stepfather, has already admitted to killing him and is serving time for the crime. However, Gouker said Young was the killer in one of his initial statements two years ago. He later explained that if his son took the blame as a minor, Young would probably get a lesser sentence.

Young, though, who was 15 at the time of the Zwicker’s death, is charged with complicity to murder and complicity to tampering with evidence.

Earlier this year, Robin Gunter, Young's aunt and Gouker's former sister-in-law, received a letter from Gouker while he was awaiting his trial for his stepson’s murder. He wrote about his son Joshua.

In part, it says, "I’m truly alone in trying to save him. His life is on the line … It doesn't matter if the whole world thinks I'm wrong for doing it. He's a good kid. He's been dealt a sh**ty hand … That I went to prison didn't help. I do know that a lot of this [is] my fault. I wish I would've grown up faster."

He adds, "So many people are trying to 'jump' on his case and hurt him … It's like I'm in a game of chess with known and unknown opponents … It's easy to say that you'll die for somebody, but I wonder how many people actually follow through with it? I've gotta do whatever it takes to save him."

After issuing his plea on May 10, 2011, Gouker told the judge he "snapped" when he was confronting, later killing, his stepson over stealing a lighter and a plate of food from him.

Gouker also said that he killed the 14-year-old to punish his ex-wife Amanda McFarland, Zwicker's mother, for allegedly aborting the babies Gouker and her were having while they were still together.

Gouker has been sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years.

Hlntv.com


I want think that the cousin female is guilty of destroying evidence and should be charged. I know a 15 year old is capable of such a crime in spite of his physic.
I think that the father manipulated the whole thing he was probably the one who punched Trey after Josh Young struck him from behind. It must have been a hell of a two months. The phone call that was played when the kissing cousin accomplice was testified was crazy. The detective & Josh G call kiss cousin when they who are arrested in Alabama. The first thing he says is"...your loyalty lies with me right? Cousin: 'yes' JG ' ok, tell them the truth about what happened that night they know everything tell them who killed Trey.' Cousin had already testified that four ppl agreed to say that JG did it so she hesitated and said ' tell them what?' He said its ok your not getting in trouble tell them' she sounded uncomfortable and told the story about JY coming and waking her up being persistent told her he just killed Trey and he needs her help. He said he swore on him dead moms grave or something. If they got rid of the evidence that would prove JY did it. jG felt guilty that his son would be tried as an adult. so josh G decided to be the fall guy as a way of "saving him". I'm missed the timeline for JG to be there. The mom was so emotionless I was still thinking JY was innocent or if there was really a foot print on Treys back. They BOTH had something to do with Treys Murder.
Reply
#12
I know I've posted this before somewhere, but I'm pretty sure Sharit is a hot mama.
Reply
#13


uh, that's kinda obvious, Don Juan. That's her pic in her avatar.
[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]
Reply
#14
(08-06-2013, 04:10 PM)Duchess Wrote:

uh, that's kinda obvious, Don Juan. That's her pic in her avatar.

Well, I know that.

However, we can only see her from the neck up.

I'm going out on a limb and saying I think the rest of her is fine too.
Reply
#15


Ahhh, I see. You want to see her boobs.
[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]
Reply
#16
(08-05-2013, 11:42 PM)sharit Wrote: Never have I been so unsure about a case as I am this one. Just wondering what others think about Joshua young's innocence? Did you hear Indiana got a new zoo? They fenced in kentucky.

So many liars involved in this one, I'm not convinced as to whether Young is innocent or not either.

I agree with Calistar that Gouker's cousin is full of shit and possibly an after-the-fact accomplice, but she's not the one on trial.

I don't think that Trey was killed with a baseball bat; the wounds support Gouker's claim that he used a pipe more closely, imo (thereby further confirming for me that the cousin is lying).

I don't have a strong opinion as to whether Joshua Young bragged about killing his stepbrother to impress his sociopath father and their friends, or if he never claimed any involvement and they're lying about that, or if he was really involved in Trey's murder.

But, if the jury is evaluating the evidence and the less-than-credible prosecution witnesses in the same vein as am I, I think Joshua Young will be acquitted.

All JMO.
Reply
#17


That father is a real piece of work. I saw a little bit of him last night. He's fucked in the head.
[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]
Reply
#18
(08-06-2013, 04:18 PM)Duchess Wrote:

That father is a real piece of work. I saw a little bit of him last night. He's fucked in the head.

Full on asshole, no doubt.

Trey's mother, Amanda, bothers me. I'm sorry her son was brutally beaten to death.

But, why the hell did she let a known criminal, abuser, and manipulator into her son's life? Rhetorical question, really.

I'm just always puzzled when mothers with children invite such scum of the earth into the home. Happens all the time and never makes any sense to me.

So glad that Gouker is caged; at least a bit of justice for Trey has been served.
Reply
#19
(08-06-2013, 04:25 PM)HairOfTheDog Wrote: I'm just always puzzled when mothers with children invite such scum of the earth into the home. Happens all the time and never makes any sense to me.


I always question that too. Children are to be protected from people like that not have them invited into their homes. I often wish I didn't read any of these kinds of threads. It was sickening listening to that man say that kid's murder was basically payback for his mother having abortions.
[Image: Zy3rKpW.png]
Reply
#20
Ahhh, I see. You want to see her boobs. [/i][/size]
[/quote]

Sorry no boob show here. I belong to the ibtc. Thanks for the flattery though.
Reply