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The video carefully avoids describing the outcome of this legal proceeding. The video apparently wants the listener to conclude that Joseph was found guilty in court—after all, there is no shame in being charged with a crime if one is found not guilty. (And, even a false conviction is no stain on a man's character—even Jesus Himself was falsely condemned.)
But, these facts would not serve the video's purposes, so they say nothing about the outcome.
In fact, the appearance before the judge was not a trial—as demonstrated by the Reverend Wesley Walters, a prolific anti-Mormon author. Therefore, he could not be found "guilty," and no trial was held.
Despite their claims that they are trying to "Search for the Truth," the video does not tell its viewers that Josiah Stowell testified for Joseph as a defense witness and did not believe that Joseph had defrauded him at all. Stowell testified of Joseph's claims, "Do I believe it? No, it is not a matter of belief: I positively know it to be true."
The charges were brought by Stowell's family members, who seem worried that Josiah would accept Joseph's religious claims.
In fact, Stowell joined the Church founded by Joseph, and remained a faithful member to the day of his death.
Would the video's authors condemn Paul because he was brought before many courts because of religious persecution? (See Acts 23꞉6.)
Note: the video mentions the Stowell incident of 1826 in the polygamy section, and does not disclose the facts of the matter there either.
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