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)
The mother, Deborah Leonard will be arraigned December 2nd on a separate indictment according to officials. She will face first-degree assault in the death of Lucas and second-degree assault in the beating of Christopher. She is being held with no bail. Linda Morey and David Morey had their $50,000 bail revoked and the Irwins along with Bruce Leonard and Sarah Ferguson were being held with no bail. Daniel Irwin is scheduled to make an appearance in court November 30th; others will appear on December 7th. The judge in the case has issued a gag order. Therefore, additional information about the case will be learned during court sessions.
I have been following this case not only because of the tragic nature, but because of the similarities of the Word of Life Christian Church (WOLCC) environment and Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The charges of gang assault will be interesting to follow in light of the Matthew Fenner case. As we learn more of the Oneida County’s District Attorney’s strategy to prosecute the gang assault charges, there may be insights gained for the Fenner case. Yes, these cases are in two different states, but the minimum requirements for gang assault charges in North Carolina are vague and may be interpreted as inclusive of the events which were reported by Matthew Fenner from January 27, 2013.
The only update I have in the Fenner case is that the transcripts from the court sessions of August 3rd and August 27th have been produced and are available to the Court. This gives us no indication as to the timing of a ruling on the appeals and petitions filed by Josh Farmer on behalf of the three defendants; Brooke Covington, Justin Covington, Sarah Anderson. The other two defendants are Robert Lewis Walker, Jr and Adam Bartley. We wait. Anything else happening in Spindale?
Season of Changes is upon us. Will this be a cold winter in Spindale?
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I’m wondering whether the law keeping is increasing the abuse. We as humans all have potential to become abusive, but some environments seem to foster it more. On a more personal note, my church going husband treats me in ways I find unacceptable. The churches we’ve been involved with (mainly word of faith) have some good things but it’s swinging up to heaven in a chariot or it’s despair and self hatred because you can’t stay up there. Obviously you didn’t have enough faith, that must be why you were abused. You must have done something wrong. There is little room, (I’m generalizing now because there are some word of faith ministries that would not be like this) for actual humanity. nor much love of reality, or truth. Christ redeemed us and He loves us. He does change us. However, we are still human. We hurt, we hurt others, we struggle to forgive, and we do not automatically know the love of God. It’s a journey. If we come from a dysfunctional or abusive background, that doesn’t always just disappear (poof!) upon becoming saved, no matter how sincere we are. Christianity needs community and relationships, both are hard to find today. In my experience, people in church (especially those raised in church or in leadership) are not real. They can’t be. They have learned the proper Christian behavior. Not that that is a bad thing, but it’s hollow. Something is lacking. Real feeling, real wanting to be with others is lacking. It’s all about entertainment: Christian bands, Christian clothing, Christian ministries and all for a price, of course. Sells. All exterior. I don’t see many lives truly transformed nor do I see real Christian marriages. It’s more of an ACT, a mirage. The problems that rage in our homes, marriages, and churches are not being solved. They are interior. Something or Someone is missing. It’s all about us, not about God. Something is very wrong and I don’t know what it is. Are we worshiping the real Jesus? Is the Gospel and the Christianity we profess the Biblical one, the real one? Or has it been altered? We stuff our feelings and problems under our hymns and services, and don’t face them, and they don’t get healed. We relate in a shallow way to others in community, and that’s how we like it to be. Don’t get too real. It is scary. I need the real Jesus, I need Redemption, I need reality. Where there is law (rules) sin increases. The law brings out and exposes our sin. It exposes us. Supposed to drive us to our need, to our Saviour. But is it? Or does it drive us to violence and contempt, dysfunction and bitterness because we don’t have, we don’t know, the REAL Savior? Is the Jesus we have a church tradition. a crutch, an assumption? Do we go to church to get entertained, “filled”……..but we don’t live it.
OK. Why not? Why not face the truth head on and find out
what is really going on in our churches and families. We have a God of salvation. Nothing is impossible with Him. Let’s ask Him and find out what is really happening and why. Jesus is NOT here to be the answer to all our needs, wounds and problems. He is primarily here to do what His Father wants done. In Him and in Christian community we find healing.