Tag Archives: Justin Covington

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

June 6th- The Matthew Fenner Case Returns to Court

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After months of delays prompted by pre-trial motions, appeals and more motions, the Matthew Fenner case is set for hearing on June 6th at 9:30AM in the Rutherford County courthouse. Rccatalyst.com reported on April 13th concerning the next hearing. Also, during April, Rccatalyst.com reported the motion for Judge Marvin Pope to continue on as judge for this case, as well as Judge Pope’s April12th order for attorney Angela Beeker’s release from her representation of Brooke Covington, Justin Covington and Sarah Anderson.

The pending trial surrounds alleged incidents from January 27, 2013 wherein Matthew Fenner states he was held against his will, physically assaulted and strangled during a “deliverance” session in the sanctuary of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The “loud prayer” and “deliverance” has been for years the signature practice of WOFF, which has many other socially obtuse practices surrounding controls the leader, Jane Whaley, exerts over her members. Five church members have been indicted with charges including second degree kidnapping, simple assault and assault by strangulation. These members are Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Covington Anderson, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Farmer Files Withdrawal of Appeal

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Disqualification of WOFF Attorneys Stands

March 17, 2016- Josh Farmer filed an “Appellant’s Motion to Withdraw Appeal” with the North Carolina Court of Appeals. The reasons for the appeal include the fact-

“3. On March 4, 2016- Sarah Anderson retained the independent counsel of Jeffrey Cooper and Benjamin Cooper to represent her in the criminal matter.

4. The remaining appellants, Brooke McFadden Covington and Justin Brock Covington, desire to withdraw their appeal.”

This motion to withdraw allows the Disqualification ORDER of Judge Marvin Pope to stand. Tomblin, Farmer and Morris, now- Farmer and Morris LAW, PLLC or their associates can no longer represent any of the five defendants in any matter related to the indictments/charges in this case.

wd of appeal March 17th

This clears the way for another court date to resolve pre-trial motions involving change of venue, change of venire as well as keeping Judge Pope for the remainder of the case. It is reasonable to assume the next court date for this case will be within a month.
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Sarah Anderson Leaves WOFF – Custody Battle Ensues

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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
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Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

After a glance to 2015, we look forward…

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Judges chair
Judges chair

Before many of us settle into the first Monday of 2016, I need to take a few lines and recap what has been a year full of surprises. Of course, there will be events I don’t mention that were important to others. If you feel so compelled, comment and share with us your signature events of 2015.

On January 22, 2015, the Daily Courier reported the reindictment of the five defendants in the Matthew Fenner Case. This reindictment came after the new District Attorney for Rutherford County, Ted Bell, expressed his concern over the processes surrounding the first round of indictments in December 2014, during the tenure of District Attorney, Brad Greenway. See the post- “Word of Faith Fellowship members re-indicted- Daily Courier”

The five Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) members who were indicted include Brooke McFadden Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. The charges include second degree kidnapping and simple assault for all five with an additional charge of assault inflicting physical injury by strangulation against Sarah Anderson. These charges stem from the events of January 27, 2013 inside the sanctuary of WOFF. The story of the indictments was picked up nationally and internationally after the first round of indictments in December 2014. Again, bringing attention to the unsafe practices of WOFF.
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Uncategorized, WOLCC Leonard case

Pastor among eight defendants indicted in fatal beating

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Gang Assault Indictments Returned in This Case…

News sources out of Utica, NY, earlier this week reported additional indictments were handed down as predicted in the Leonard murder case. Pastor Tiffani Irwin, her mother, Traci, and her two brothers, Joseph and Daniel were leaders in the Word of Life Christian Church of Chadwicks, NY. All were included in the thirteen count indictment handed down Tuesday. Also, included was the father of the victims, Bruce Leonard, the half-sister, Sarah Ferguson and two additional church members- Linda Morey and her son David Morey.

Lucas Leonard died and his brother, Christopher Leonard was severely beaten as a result of a “counseling session” called by the Pastor in response to what authorities are reporting as the desire for the teens to leave the church. In October, Christopher Leonard testified against his half-sister, Sarah Ferguson in court as he described the extended session which lasted through the night and early morning hours of October 11th and 12th. Lucas was transported to St Lukes Hospital in Chadwicks and there declared dead. After extensive searching, authorities discovered Christopher Leonard on the second floor of the church building and transported him to the hospital under protective custody.

News sources differ as to the listed indictments. Reportedly, the recent indictments include: second degree murder, second degree manslaughter, first degree kidnapping, felony first-degree assault and felony first-degree gang assault. (sources Uticaod.com, AP, @OD_Parker)
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District Attorney McNamara to seek “gang assault” charges in Leonard case

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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)
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Uncategorized, WOFFGATE

NC Court of Appeals to Review Judge Pope’s Orders (Court Docs +)

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Update in the Matthew Fenner Case:
The NC Court of Appeals granted the request for writ of certiorari submitted on September 15th by Josh Farmer on behalf of the three defendants, Brooke Covington, Justin Covington and Sarah Anderson. Rccatalyst.com reported this ruling on Monday. From the article which quotes the order:

“Defendants’ petition for writ of certiorari is allowed for the purpose of reviewing the order entered on 6 August 2015 by Judge Marvin Pope, Jr. granting the State’s motion to disqualify counsel and the order entered on 27 August 2015 by Judge Pope denying the Defendants’ motion for reconsideration. It appearing the defendants have retained appellate counsel and are not seeking court-appointed counsel, the appeal shall be deemed taken as of the date of this order. The record on appeal shall thereafter be settled as provided in Appellate Rule 11 and filed in the Court as provided by Appellate Rule 12.

Defendant’s petition for writ of supersedeas is also allowed… and all further trial court proceedings are hereby stayed pending the outcome of defendants’ appeal to this Court.”

Included in the quoted article is a copy of the docket sheet for the case showing 10/5/15 as the date of the ruling.

What does this mean? From a layman’s perspective, this means the trial could actually be delayed for several months at a minimum. It appears to me that the first step will be to acquire the transcripts from the Superior Court sessions on August 3rd and August 27th. Those could take up to 60 days from the date of the initial request for the transcripts. After those are submitted to the appropriate parties, there comes a set time frame for each party to the appeal to agree on the accuracy of the submitted materials.
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