Wednesday, the Utica Observer-Dispatch reported on their website the next chapter in the sad case of religion gone awry in the Word of Life Christian Church of Chadwicks, NY. Lucas Leonard died October 12th at the St. Lukes Hospital in New Hartford after allegedly suffering a beating at hands of his parents and four other church members. The parents, Bruce Leonard and Deborah Leonard face first degree manslaughter charges stemming from the incident which began Sunday evening, October 11th. Also charged with second degree assault were Joseph Irwin, David Morey, Linda Morey and Lucas’ half-sister, Sarah Ferguson.
Christopher Leonard, 17, brother to Lucas also suffered severe injuries during the “counseling session.” Authorities first confirmed the use of “fists and feet.” Wednesday, Christopher testified to the use of a “cord” during the assault. Testimony on Wednesday was enough for the judge to refer the case to the Oneida County grand jury for consideration. Bond for Sarah Ferguson remained at $50,000.
Included in the report from Wednesday were remarks from Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara. He said the office plans on pursuing any individuals who have culpability in the case.
“We are looking at everybody that was involved in this incident and we will present all the information that we have to the grand jury, along with the charges that were originally filed and any other charges we feel are appropriate and that will include depraved indifference murder,” McNamara said. “There are numerous other charges, one of those charges will be gang assault. There are a lot of other charges that were not initially filed, but we can ask a grand jury to consider.” (emphasis added)
I read the above statement a few times before I understood what the DA meant. He plans to present evidence to a grand jury in hopes of securing charges of “gang assault.” We know there are at least six defendants and in his remarks, we learn there may be more charged in the assault. Folks, he considers the activity during the evening of October 11th through the morning of October 12th inside the walls of the church to meet the minimum requirements under New York State statutes for “gang assault” charges. The DA is setting his course to convince a grand jury that this “church” engaged in gang like activities- at least during the session in question.
From the article about Christopher’s testimony;
“The meeting was to “talk about what we had done,” he said. He described how he and his brother were directed to stand in the center of the church’s small sanctuary and were asked questions by the pastor. When they did not respond, his parents, sister and other congregants punched them and whipped them with a folded-over electrical cord.”
“…were asked questions by the pastor.” The answers must have angered some one or many folks. Why? Who could perform such a beating as described, which resulted in the death of one victim and be happy or emotionless? We also have learned the deceased victim wanted to leave the church. More is yet to be learned, but does the above scenario send chills up your spine as it does mine? Before I explain why, let me mention the hearing on Friday.
In addition to Wednesday’s session, a closed door family court hearing was held Friday for the children removed from the church during the initial investigation. Attorney Devin Garramore representing Deborah Leonard, commented after the hearing that the “court is arranging placement for the children.”
Was the beating of the two teens at the church a “gang assault”?
In order to gain further understanding, I researched the North Carolina statutes looking for offenses labeled as “gang” related. These observations are from a laymen reading, but my curiosity revolves around the Matthew Fenner case. This case stems from incidents on January 27, 2013 which resulted in five members, Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson, Adam Bartley and Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. being indicted on second degree kidnapping and felony assault charges. Sarah Anderson has also been charged with assault by strangulation.
The questions are obvious. Under NC Law, could there be charges of “gang assault” considered? If not, what about the Michael Lowry case, could there have been gang related charges in that case? Do the activities witnessed by many inside the walls of the sanctuary of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) qualify as “gang assault”? What about the abuses suffered in the homes of the leaders? What do the statutes say? First let’s understand the definition of “criminal street gang.” Our resource is www.nationalgangcenter.gov as they quote and summarize North Carolina Law.
North Carolina § 15A-1340.16. Aggravated and Mitigated Sentences
“A “criminal street gang” means any ongoing organization, association, or group of three or more persons, whether formal or informal, having as one of its primary activities the commission of felony or violent misdemeanor offenses, or delinquent acts that would be felonies or violent misdemeanors if committed by an adult, and having a common name or common identifying sign, colors, or symbols.”
Using this definition could the WOFF “deliverance sessions” as in the Fenner case or the “deliverance fights” or sessions which Michael Lowry described; qualify WOFF as a “criminal street gang”? John, you are reaching! Really? The “primary activities” of these sessions from my understanding has morphed into “the commission of felony and/or VIOLENT misdemeanors offenses.” Why? People are held against their will with differing degrees of force. Who can deny the primary activity of WOFF is to KEEP their members “serving God” by STAYING at WOFF – even if some express a desire to leave? How many attempted escapes have ended in recapture of the member? By hook or crook or coercion or force, some would consider this recapture activity at least a mind-bending misdemeanor offense.
Are you calling WOFF a “criminal street gang?” If the definition fits- OWN it. Allow me to continue.
We know there is a defined physical boundary which unapproved visitors dare not cross? WOFF security protects their “turf.” Can anyone deny that?
Who can deny Jane Whaley’s role as leader of this group orchestrating and overseeing the “primary activities” of the group. More from our resource:
North Carolina § 14-50.16. Pattern of Criminal Street Gang Activity
“(a) It is unlawful for any person employed by or associated with a criminal street gang to do either of the following:
(1) To conduct or participate in a pattern of criminal street gang activity.
(2) To acquire or maintain any interest in or control of any real or personal property through a pattern of criminal street gang activity.
A violation of this section is a Class H felony, except that a person who violates subdivision (a)(1) of this section, and is an organizer, supervisor, or acts in any other position of management with regard to the criminal street gang, shall be guilty of a Class F felony.” (emphasis added)
Certainly, as a leader in WOFF, if Brooke Covington’s leadership role is proven in the Fenner case; she will deserve a more severe sentence. (in my opinion.)
Yes, New York is New York, and North Carolina is the good old south, where we hold in esteem our preachers and our beloved evangelists. Is North Carolina ready for “gang assault” charges to be filed against members of a church? More specifically, is Rutherford County ready for the activities inside the secretive walls of WOFF to be classified as “gang related”? Before you answer, consider another known fact about WOFF.
The WOFF strategy over the last few years has included heavy recruitment from the local prisons. According to the October 1st edition, the Daily Courier reported on a meeting at Isothermal Community College; Douglas McDonald, DeWitt Prince and Jamie Reidy all serve on the governing board of the 096 Chaplaincy Ministry. All three are WOFF members. They don’t hide their purpose to recruit from the prisons.
From abc-11.com, May 14, 2015- I-Team: Assaults on North Carolina Corrections Officers Increasing.
“A staggering number of gangs are operating inside North Carolina prisons – a total of 1000. The North Carolina Department of Public Safety says they have been threatening and attacking correctional officers if they don’t get what they want.”
So, WOFF recruits from the prison population already conditioned to gang related activities, mores, structures and penalties. Could these new recruits easily be conditioned to carry out “the commission of felony or violent misdemeanor offenses?” Can we say from one gang environment to another? The second gang will dress you nice, feed you well, and give you a job and girl-friend. Catch? Leaving can cost you a high price. In gang terms, it may cost you a “beat out.”
The case in New York is worth watching. If the DA is successful in having church members charged with “gang assault,” should we consider the same for the Fenner case? Yes, the Leonard case and the Fenner case have many striking similarities.
Season of Changes is upon us. Will this be a cold winter in Spindale?
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