|
 A New York State Police investigator later testified that it was
an electrical extension cord that Bruce Leonard, 65, used to thrash
his son Lucas Leonard, 19, who authorities said died of his
injuries.
The elder Leonard and his wife Deborah Leonard, 59, have been
charged with first-degree manslaughter.
The attack took place during a counseling session that started late
on Sunday inside the Word of Life Church in Chadwicks, New York,
about 50 miles (80 km) east of Syracuse, police said.
In addition, four of the couple's fellow parishioners were charged
with assaulting the teenager's younger brother, Christopher Leonard,
17.
Daniel Irwin, deacon of the church, said during the hearing in New
Hartford Town Court that he witnessed the counseling session and saw
Bruce Leonard striking Lucas Leonard.
The group is accused of beating the brothers over the course of more
than 10 hours after church services in an attempt to get the
teenagers to confess to their sins and apologize.
Irwin said he also observed Bruce Leonard and Christopher Leonard
giving Lucas Leonard mouth-to-mouth resuscitation at some point
during the session.
Tiffany Irwin, pastor of the church and Daniel Irwin's sister,
administered CPR to the teenager, he said.
"Last time I saw him, he was lying on the floor making a sustained
monotone moan," Irwin told the court, referring to Lucas Leonard.
The state police investigator, Jason Nellis, testified that Deborah
Leonard told him during initial interviews that Daniel Irwin had, in
fact, struck her son during the counseling session.
Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said Irwin is
considered a cooperating witness and has not been charged or
arrested. McNamara said he planned to seek a grand jury indictment
of the Leonards as soon as possible.
McNamara declined to comment when asked about media reports that the
teen was trying to leave the church group.
Deborah Leonard, who appeared in shackles and orange jumpsuits along
with her husband, wept during Friday's testimony. Bruce Leonard
appeared stoic and wrote on a notepad as witnesses spoke to the
court.
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Family members drove Lucas Leonard to nearby St. Luke's Hospital on
Monday afternoon, after discovering that he was not breathing,
police said. Lucas Leonard, whose injuries were consistent with
blunt force trauma to the torso and extremities, died shortly after
arriving.
New Hartford police and the New York State Police launched a joint
investigation after being notified about the suspicious death.
Police deployed tactical teams to the church, and discovered the
younger brother, Christopher Leonard, on the second floor of the
three-story red brick building, a former public schoolhouse.
Christopher Leonard is being treated at a local hospital for blunt
force trauma to the body and extremities, police say.
Sarah Ferguson, 33, the victims' sister, and fellow church members
Linda Morey, 54, David Morey, 26, and Joseph Irwin, 26, were
arrested on charges of assault in the second degree.
All of the defendants appeared at Friday's hearing. Ferguson and
Irwin are scheduled to appear in court again next Friday. They were
unable to make $50,000 bail each and will remain in custody at the
Oneida County Jail.
The Moreys were freed on $50,000 bond each and were ordered to
appear in court on Dec. 15.
The Leonards' next court appearance will depend on whether they are
indicted by a grand jury.
(Writing and additional reporting by Laila Kearney in New York;
Editing by Sandra Maler)
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