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UPDATE PUBLISHED AT 7:45 AM, SEPT. 28, 2021
KENTON COUNTY, Ky. (WTVQ) – A judge dismisses a Kenton County man’s petition for leniency and sentences him to life in prison for rape and sexually assaulting two children.
Joshua Turner appeared again before Kenton Circuit Judge Kathleen Lape for a formal and final conviction, after being convicted in July of eight Class A crimes, including the rape and sodomy of two children under the age of 12 years.
Turner, through his attorney, asked the judge to reduce the jury’s recommended sentence to 40 years in prison. Commonwealth attorney Rob Sanders called on the court to respect the wishes of jurors who have recommended eight life sentences.
Judge Lape sentenced Turner to life in prison, noting that he destroyed the innocence of two young children and damaged the lives of many others who had to deal with the fallout from his crimes. Turner remained silent and still as the judge handed down his sentence, prosecutors said.
Sanders applauded the judge’s sentence, saying, “It was the right thing to do. Joshua Turner sentenced these kids to life imprisonment and now he’s getting one too!
Sanders said this case is “proof that the justice system works. The police, the prosecutors, the jury and the judge… everyone did their job and our community is safer because of it.
Sanders said Turner’s victims were now in consultation and his office would make sure they had access to all available resources to help them cope with their trauma.
ORIGINAL STORY AFTER THE JULY CONVICTION
On July 28, 2021, a Kenton County jury only deliberated for about half an hour before finding Joshua Robert Turner guilty of 8 serious crimes, including the rape and sodomy of two children under the age of 12. The same jury then deliberated for nearly three hours before recommending that Turner serve 8 consecutive life sentences. Turner lowered his head and rushed out of the courtroom after hearing the verdict.
Turner’s case was called before Kenton Circuit Judge Kathleen Lape on Tuesday, July 27, 2021. The case was continued by Commonwealth Prosecutor Rob Sanders and Deputy Commonwealth Prosecutors Maria Schletker and Emily Arnzen. Prosecutors called five witnesses and presented dozens of pieces of evidence over the two days of the trial.
Turner’s ex-girlfriend said she walked into Turner’s cell phone while he was sleeping because she suspected him of lying to her. She said she was shocked to find several videos of Turner assaulting two children under the age of 12. The woman hid the phone from Turner and turned it over to Park Hills Police the next day. The woman told jurors that Turner was supposed to watch the children while their mothers worked.
Park Hills Lt. Richard Webster said he recovered the clothes worn by the girls and the clothes Turner was wearing in the videos. Webster identified the apartment where the crimes were committed by the furniture and curtains seen in the background of the videos. Webster got an arrest warrant for Turner. After Turner was arrested, Webster photographed his hand and arm tattoos that matched those of the man abusing children in the videos found on Turner’s phone. Lakeside Park Police Detective James Jackson said he was called in to download Turner’s cell phones and retrieve the videos and hundreds of photographs. Commonwealth Detective Nick Klaiss testified about his review of phone downloads, which included the date each video was made. Klaiss told jurors that photographs of the abuse found on Turner’s phone numbered in the hundreds. The jury then watched the videos of the ongoing crimes.
Commonwealth attorney Rob Sanders applauded the work and sacrifice of the jurors, saying: “It is one thing to hear the testimony of a sexually assaulted child, but having to look at it with your own eyes is an experience. horrible! Sanders said: “We know the jurors sacrificed a part of themselves in participating in this case, but their sacrifice has brought justice to these children and we appreciate their service.”
Sanders said the only plea offer made to Turner was also a life sentence and he hopes this case sends a message to other child molesters. “Kenton County jurors will not tolerate this heinous behavior and neither will we,” said Sanders. “If you victimize children in this county, we’ll bury you in jail!” “
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