Virgin River season 6 recently dropped on Netflix, and one of the most significant plotlines in this latest addition to Virgin River’s seasons is John “Preacher” Middleton’s murder trial. The Virgin River season 5 part 2 ending left a number of major questions unanswered, including what Preacher’s fate would be. In Virgin River season 2, Preacher’s now ex-flame, Paige, was assaulted by her violent ex-husband, Wes, whom she had been in hiding from. In self-defense, Paige pushed Wes, sending him down the stairs and ultimately (accidentally) killing him.

Although Preacher wasn’t present for these events, Paige called Preacher for help, and he ended up taking care of Wes’ body for Paige, burying it. It seemed as though the pair had gotten away with this cover-up, until a raging fire in season 5 exposed the area in which Wes’ body was buried, allowing authorities to find and identify him. It wasn’t clear exactly what this would mean for Preacher’s future, but Virgin River season 6 confirmed that Preacher did have to stand trial for Wes’ death and was accused of murdering him.

Preacher Doesn’t Go To Jail In Virgin River Season 6 – His Trial Outcome Explained

Preacher’s Trial Is Intense, But He Ultimately Doesn’t Wind Up In Jail

In Virgin River season 6, Preacher must stand trial, charged with murdering Wes. Brie Sheridan, Jack’s sister, acts as his lawyer. Although Brie is confident that Preacher cannot be found guilty, because the evidence against him is nearly nonexistent, things take a turn when Preacher’s best friend, Jack, must take the stand. Unsurprisingly, Jack defends Preacher to the utmost degree, swearing to his friend’s honor.

What Brie, Jack, and Preacher don’t know, however, is that opposing counsel has hidden a recording of a voicemail Preacher left for Jack on the day Wes was murdered in their electronic discovery. Preacher doesn’t necessarily say anything incriminating—as he isn’t guilty of killing Wes, even if he did help hide the body—but he does lie about where he was that day. That, the prosecution argues, is enough to prove he isn’t the man of his word Jack is arguing he is. Evidently, this is enough to cast doubt in the minds of the jury.

Despite there being little linking Preacher to 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 may mean a mistrial, wherein Preacher could be tried again, but she hopes that she can instead get the prosecution to make a deal. In the end, that is precisely what happened. Brie manages to strike a deal for Preacher, with him getting charged only with a misdemeanor for his role in hiding the body and having to work 300 hours of community service.

Brie manages to strike a deal for Preacher, with him getting charged only with a misdemeanor for his role in hiding the body.

What Preacher Being Acquitted Means For His Virgin River Season 7 Story & Relationship With Paige

Paige’s Future In Particular Is A Major Question Mark

This turn of events was great news for Preacher, but it could spell trouble for Paige. While on the stand, Preacher decided that telling the truth was the best course of action. He therefore told the court exactly what had happened: Paige had been acting in self-defense against her abusive ex-husband, and it had accidentally ended in Wes’ death. Hopefully, if Paige was put on trial for Wes’ death, any jury would see that she was a woman trying to save herself from an abusive man and would similarly not charge her with murder.

This turn of events was great news for Preacher, but it could spell trouble for Paige.

It’s unclear even by the Virgin River season 6 ending if Paige will ever return to Virgin River, although it seems very unlikely at this point that she would. Whether she does or not, this page is likely closed for Preacher. He is now in a very happy relationship with firefighter Kaia Bryant, and he no doubt wants to put the entire situation with Wes and the trial behind him. Preacher will of course always care for Paige and her son Christopher, but Virgin River will move onto season 7 without Preacher and Paige together and without Preacher in jail.