Tag Archives: Matthew Fenner

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 Tomblin, Farmer and Morris, now- Farmer and Morris LAW, PLLC or their associates can no longer represent any of the five defendants in any matter related to the indictments/charges in this case.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

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, WOFF Updates

Walker, Anderson vs. Jerry Cooper (f/k/a Jerry Butcher) – Case Dismissed

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In Rutherford County Superior Court, on December 21, 2015 at 11:47AM, concerning file number 15 CVS 32; an order for dismissal with prejudice was entered by Judge Tommy Davis. My understanding is the decision can be appealed, but the exact same allegations cannot be pursued against Mr. Cooper in the future by these plaintiffs. Judge Davis offered the opinion of the Court that there was “no genuine issue of material fact.” This opinion came just four days after a session last Thursday in which Judge Davis offered several pointed questions toward Mr. Josh Farmer, attorney for the plaintiffs.

Davis dismisses case
Davis dismisses case

Rccatalyst.com posted news of the dismissal on Tuesday. In this article, Judge Davis is quoted from Thursday’s hearing as saying to Josh Farmer, “Why are you picking on this individual? Do you have a grudge against him?” Also, Judge Davis asked why Farmer was not suing the other involved parties such as the AP or the reporter, Mitch Weiss who wrote the article upon which Mr. Cooper commented with the statement-“True story.” Mr. Farmer said his clients still may have recourse against other parties. In brief, this lawsuit alleges damages from Jerry Cooper posting the comment “True story” in relation to an AP article stating the facts surrounding the Matthew Fenner criminal case. The Fenner case has five defendants from Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) facing charges including second degree kidnapping, assault. In addition, Sarah Anderson also faces a charge of assault by strangulation. These charges stem from incidents on January 27, 2013 in the sanctuary 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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Uncategorized, WOLCC Leonard case

Nathan Ames, “… they did whatever was told to them…” (video)

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Friday afternoon, a co-worker caught my attention with her eyes wide open, “John, come here…” She asked if I watched the interview with the former Word of Life Christian Church member Thursday morning, on television. I had not. She quickly found the link and asked me to sit down at her desk and watch it. As the interview played, she exclaimed, “That’s what you describe in your book. He used the same words you used in your book.” (Locked in)

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It is at this point, I have mixed emotions about my printing and publishing projects. I am naturally glad the similarities between the destructive group in New York and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) are not difficult for readers of my blog and book to see. At the same time, I have deep, unspeakable pangs of regret and remorse for the small daily decisions which led to my involvement with Jane Whaley and her crowd. On the one hand, I like to think there may have been some way to stop the progression of involvement in the web of WOFF. On the other, I cannot change the past. We can only move on from here and help those who want help.
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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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