by Worcester, MA – In a disturbing case out of Massachusetts, Joshua Hubert, 43, has been convicted by a Worcester County jury for the shocking kidnapping and attempted murder of his friend’s 7-year-old daughter. The brutal assault involved kidnapping, strangulation, and a harrowing attempt to drown the young girl by throwing her off a highway bridge into a lake.
Despite the severity of the attack, the girl, now 15, survived a 100-yard swim across Lake Quinsigamond after being thrown off the Interstate 290 overpass. She managed to reach safety and get help, thwarting what could have been a tragic outcome.
A Night of Horror: The Kidnapping and Attack
The traumatic event took place in the early hours of August 27, 2017, at the grandparents’ home on Forestdale Road in Worcester. Hubert, who was attending a barbecue and known to the family due to his friendship with the girl’s father, abducted the girl while she was asleep. She initially mistook him for her grandfather before being forcibly taken to his car.
During the approximately 90-minute drive, the victim described moments of terror and survival instincts. She recounted kicking her attacker and silently hoping that by remaining still, he would believe she was dead.
“I was thinking that he wanted me dead. If I breathed really lightly and quietly, he would think that I was dead and everything would stop,” the girl testified during the trial.
Prosecutors asserted that Hubert sexually assaulted the child and subsequently attempted to murder her by placing a bag over her head, tied with a rope, before throwing her off the bridge into the deep lake below.
The Girl’s Miraculous Survival and Rescue
- Following the fall, the victim swam across Lake Quinsigamond, which can be up to 90 feet deep at certain points.
- She eventually reached a home’s shore on the Shrewsbury side, where a woman wrapped her in a towel and gave her Batman pajamas for comfort.
- She was transported to a nearby hospital, where support and care were administered.
Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr. remarked at the time,
“Fortunately, a greater tragedy was averted. The young victim had the strength to make it to shore and get help.”
Legal Developments: Trial and Conviction
The trial began in early September and lasted two weeks. Hubert was found guilty on several charges, including:
- Attempted murder by drowning
- Attempted murder by strangling
- Strangulation or suffocation
- Kidnapping a child under 16 years of age
He was acquitted of two counts related to aggravated rape. DNA evidence introduced during the trial did not match Hubert, and his defense attorney noted late disclosure of cellular phone location data suggesting he may not have been near the bridge at the time of the attack. However, this did not alter the jury’s verdict.
Defense attorney Kevin Larson stated, “There’s a lot of things in this case that are appealable, probably the biggest one being the late disclosure.” He confirmed plans to appeal the conviction.
Read Also: California Judge Sentenced to 35 Years to Life for Fatally Shooting Wife During Argument
What Comes Next for Joshua Hubert?
- Hubert faces a maximum of 35 years in prison.
- Sentencing is scheduled for October 3.
- He remains out on bail during the ongoing legal proceedings.
This case highlights the complexities and challenges involved in prosecuting crimes against children, especially those involving trauma and survival.
For the detailed story and background, read more on Law&Crime: here.
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