A couple identifying themselves as an uncle and aunt of Josh Powell released a media statement late Tuesday night.

Powell, a person of interest in his wife Susan’s 2009 disappearance, set fire to his home Sunday, killing himself and his two sons, Charles and Braden.

Maurice and Patti Leach said they were saddened at the losses both families suffered. They faulted the legal system, writing:

 “When we arrived in the state of Washington we believed in America’s legal system. After witnessing how broken the system was and the events that took place before our eyes, both inside the courtroom and outside, we left for home in disillusionment of the legal system and concern for our family’s posterity.”

The couple said Josh Powell asked them to step in and offer support in helping him as the next patriarchs in the absence of his father Steven Powell, who was arrested in September 2011 and remains in Pierce County custody on voyeurism and child pornography charges.

http://bcove.me/x4bl5lwd

The couple said they had agreed to offer safe haven for Powell’s sons should the need arise.

Maurice and Patti Leach blamed others for the family tragedy, saying:

“In our hearts and minds we feel that this family tragedy was set into motion from the beginning due in part to the various questionable government agencies' practices, religious bias, the internet kangaroo courts, and sensationalized news media, all of whom have circumvented the laws that protect all of our rights to due process.” 

They ended the statement with “P.S. Josh, Susan, Charles, and Braden, you will always remain in our hearts.”

Complete statement from family members of Josh Powell:

Statement From: Maurice and Patti Leach    2-7-2012


We are grievously saddened at the loss that the Cox and Powell
families have suffered.  There is no justification for the loss of two
innocent children, Charles and Braden.

Josh had asked us to step in and offer our support in helping him as
the next patriarchs of the family with the absence of Steve, his
father. We were also asked by Josh if we would offer a safe haven for
his sons should the need arise; our answer was absolutely yes.

We felt that Josh represented himself using a great deal of restraint
with patience and dignity at his children's custody hearing, even
though it did not work out in his favor. Our family’s suggestions to
Josh both before and after the hearing were that if he had any
credible facts, no matter how disturbing, he should present it so that
due process would be possible. We believe that Josh continued to use
this restraint because of the fear of losing his sons and the love he
had for all of his family members that he so desperately tried to
protect.

When we arrived in the state of Washington we believed in America's
legal system. After witnessing how broken the system was and the
events that took place before our eyes, both inside the court room and
outside, we left for home in disillusionment of the legal system and
concern for our family's posterity.

In our hearts and minds we feel that this family tragedy was set into
motion from the beginning due in part to the various questionable
government agencies' practices, religious bias, the internet kangaroo
courts, and sensationalized news media, all of whom have circumvented
the laws that protect all of our rights to due process. We believe
that the stewardship of the responsibilities that have been entrusted
to those organizations and individuals has been completely
compromised.

America, this is not only a tragedy, Sunday was a dark day for all of
our families.

Uncle Maurice, Aunt Patti

P.S.  Josh, Susan, Charles, and Braden, you will always remain in our hearts.