The reasons for her choice to leave Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) have not been made public. However, some details have emerged about the events following her exit. In a GoFundMe page plea, Sarah’s sister, Rachel Bryant outlines the current struggle around the question of custody of Sarah’s son. Near the end of February, Sarah did leave the WOFF environment taking her son and seeking shelter elsewhere. Her sister, Rachel Bryant, exited the group a few months ago with her husband and child and has shown great support for Sarah’s decision. The GoFundMe plea explains that this Monday, March 14th, Sarah will be in family court for an emergency hearing on several motions put forth by counsel for her husband, Nick Anderson. The goal of $30,000 is sought for her legal fees to retain custody of her son pictured on the page. Please, visit the page, read and share with your friends.

Sarah’s exit has led to several other events with more changes to follow.

Appeal of Disqualification in Fenner Case Falls Apart

Rccatalyst.com reported on Wednesday the newly filed Notice of Appearance for Sarah C. Anderson, one of the defendants in the Matthew Fenner case. The Notice alerts the Courts of Sarah C. Anderson’s choice for a new representation. Attorneys Jeff Cooper and Benjamin Cooper now represent Sarah Anderson. Thursday, the Cooper attorneys filed a withdrawal from the Appeal on behalf of their client, Sarah C. Anderson.

Withdrawal of Appeal

Mrs. Anderson is one of five defendants facing charges involving alleged incidents from January 27, 2013 which happened in the sanctuary of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). Matthew Fenner is the victim of charges which include second degree kidnapping, simple assault and assault inflicting physical injury through strangulation. These events were reported as occurring during a prayer and deliverance session-the signature practice of WOFF. Mrs. Anderson faces all three charges, whereas the other four defendants face the first two charges. The other defendants include Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Robert Lewis, Jr. and Adam Bartley.

At this time, three of the defendants have secured counsel other than the disqualified Tomblin, Farmer and Morris firm. Adam Bartley’s attorney is Robert Denton. Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. has Matthew Cabe as his attorney and Sarah Anderson has Jeff Cooper and Benjamin Cooper to represent her. With this development, it appears the Appeal of the Disqualification remains on shaky ground.

Josh Farmer filed a summary document on January 27, 2016 which included these words in Section I titled: THE RULING OF THE TRIAL COURT TO DISQUALIFY THE FIRM FROM REPRESENTATION OF THE PETITIONERS IS IN CONFLICT WITH DECISIONS OF THIS COURT. He goes onto cite the Yelton Case 87 NC App. 554,361 S.E. 2d 753 (1987) in which he makes this statement:

“As with Yelton, it is unlikely that Petitioners- mother, son and daughter would testify against each other…”

As stated on this blog in previous posts and in the Appellant’s Motion to Withdraw Appeal, Brooke is not the natural mother of either defendant and now the possibility of Sarah’s testimony including adverse information about Brooke is real.

Judge Pope Warned About This…

From the same document filed by Farmer, it reviews the State’s concern voiced by Judge Pope for the Tomblin, Famer and Morris Firm’s representation of Brooke, Justin and Sarah in addition to Mr. Walker:

{I}s a concurrent conflict of interest which exists and cannot be waived by a defendant absent of knowledge of what a co-defendant may testify on behalf of the State against the remaining defendants. (R. p.60)

At that time, the warning was specifically directed to Mr. Bartley’s plea offer setting up the possibility of adversarial testimony to affidavits signed by the other four defendants. His rejection of the plea was deemed non-official according to Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers. No one could predict the recent developments which in my opinion set up several possible plea deal scenarios including a representation to Mr. Bartley.

As of this writing, the different avenues this case could take are numerous and varied. It will be interesting and newsworthy for the WOFF leadership and their members as well as the community at large. How confident are we that regular WOFF members will have free and open access to all of the news sources reporting the developments in this case?

If the Court’s issues a ruling supporting the Disqualification or if the Petition(s) are withdrawn, then Brooke Covington and Justin Covington will find new representation to face the charges. The landscape around this case has changed and will continue to evolve. At some point, the Matthew Fenner case will return to a Rutherford County courtroom and I plan to be there to chronical the events.

2016 – – the Year of Changes rolls on! Remember-You must go through the drama to get to the freedom.

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Scripture references are Amplified Version unless otherwise noted. (Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation ) This is post number 563.