Notice! This post contains SPOILERS for Virgin River.
Virgin River season 6 was recently released on Netflix, and one of the most significant storylines in this latest addition to the Virgin River seasons is the murder trial of John “Preacher” Middleton. THE Virgin River The end of the 5th part of the 2nd season left a number of important questions unanswered, including what the Preacher's fate would be. In Virgin River In Season 2, Preacher's now ex-girlfriend Paige was assaulted by her violent ex-husband Wes, who she was hiding from. In self-defense, Paige pushed Wes, sending him down the stairs and ultimately (accidentally) killing him.
Although Preacher was not present at these events, Paige called Preacher for help, and he ended up taking care of Wes' body for Paige, burying it. It seemed like the pair had pulled off this cover-up, until a massive fire in season 5 exposed the area in which Wes' body was buried, allowing authorities to find and identify him. It was unclear exactly what this would mean for the Preacher's future, but Virgin River season 6 confirmed that Preacher had to stand trial for Wes' death and was accused of murdering him.
Preacher won't go to jail in Virgin River season 6 – trial outcome explained
The preacher's trial is intense, but he doesn't end up in prison
In Virgin River Season 6, Preacher must be tried, accused of murdering Wes. Brie Sheridan, Jack's sister, serves as his lawyer. Although Brie is confident that Preacher cannot be found guilty because the evidence against him is almost nonexistent, things change when Preacher's best friend, Jack, must take the stand. Unsurprisingly, Jack defends Preacher to the fullest, swearing by his friend's honor.
What Brie, Jack and Preacher don't know, however, is that the opposing lawyer hid a recording of a voicemail the Preacher left for Jack on the day Wes was murdered in your eDiscovery. Preacher doesn't necessarily say anything incriminating – since he's not guilty of killing Wes, even if he helped hide the body – but he does lie about where he was that day. This, the prosecution argues, is enough to prove that he is not the man of his word that Jack claims to be. Evidently, this is enough to cast doubt on the jury.
Although there is little connection between Preacher and Wes' death, The jury is evenly split on whether Preacher is guilty. Six jurors found Preacher guilty and six did not. Brie explains that this could mean a mistrial, in which Preacher could be tried again, but she hopes to get the prosecution to make a deal. In the end, that's exactly what happened. Brie manages to cut Preacher a deal, with him only being charged with a misdemeanor for his role in hiding the body and having to work 300 hours of community service.
Brie manages to reach a deal for Preacher, with him only being charged with a misdemeanor for his role in hiding the body.
What the preacher being acquitted means for his story and relationship with Paige in Virgin River Season 7
Paige's future in particular is a big question mark
This turn of events was great news for Preacher, but it could spell trouble for Paige. While at the stand, Preacher decided telling the truth was the best course of action. He therefore told the court exactly what had happened: Paige acted in self-defense against her abusive ex-husband and accidentally ended up with Wes' death. Hopefully, if Paige were put on trial for Wes' death, any jury would see that she was a woman trying to save herself from an abusive man and similarly not charge her with murder.
This turn of events was great news for Preacher, but it could spell trouble for Paige.
It is not clear even from the Virgin River season 6 will end if Paige ever returns to Virgin River, although it seems very unlikely at this point that she will. Whether she likes it or not, this page is probably closed to the Preacher. He is now in a very happy relationship with firefighter Kaia Bryant and no doubt wants to put the whole situation with Wes and the trial behind him. Of course, Preacher will always look out for Paige and their son Christopher, but Virgin River will move into season 7 without Preacher and Paige together and without Preacher in prison.