Tag Archives: Word of Faith Fellowship

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Fenner Case Update: 7 Jurors Seated, 7 more needed

2 Comments

The first of possibly five separate trials in the Matthew Fenner case in Rutherford County began on Tuesday. Today’s session involved the State vs. Brooke McFadden Covington. By 9:51AM, Judge Gary Gavenus let everyone in the court know the Motion for a Change of Venue was “Denied!” He intended to move forward with jury selection, twelve jurors and two alternates.

Mrs. Covington is one of five defendants who include Justin Covington, Sarah Covington Anderson, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr. and Adam Bartley. Indictments stemming from alleged incidents on January 27, 2013 at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) in which Fenner claims he was assaulted include second-degree kidnapping, first degree assault and one count of attempted strangulation.

Leading up to the Judge’s announcement this morning was discussion which among other things included the question of plea deals or concessions to witnesses – of which Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers admitted there were none at this time after he had withdrawn the plea offered to Adam Bartley in prior months. Covington’s defense attorney David Teddy will be notified should any future deals or concessions be offered.

Additional conversation about one particular email between the State and an attorney for another defendant was reviewed by the Judge who then deemed it not pertinent to the case; sealed in an envelope and placed in the file. Judge Gavenus also outlined the procedure for interviewing jurors. They were to enter the court one at a time from the jury holding room. He would address them first, next Byers would asked questions and attorney Teddy would finish with his questions.

The left side of the courtroom was reserved for the jury pool. They were led in and out by the bailiff. He retrieved each new jury candidate and led them to their seat in the middle of the jury box. He directed their every step.

This arrangement meant the right side of the gallery was for everyone else. Everyone else included the distinct sub-groups, the media, now-WOFF members (leadership and those subpoenaed), ex-WOFF members (many who were witnesses) and family and supporters of Matthew. During the course of the day, it was clear each party knew the invisible boundaries which stood between the opposing groups. The signals became more confusing after lunch as Brooke’s supporters took the second row from the front behind the media and Matthew’s group filled in next with more now-WOFF members behind them. Yes, it was awkward.
Continue reading Fenner Case Update: 7 Jurors Seated, 7 more needed →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Friday: Fenner Hearing in Rutherford County (video)

1 Comment

Before the hearing…
“The door is locked.” The crowd standing upstairs in the Rutherford County courthouse included the defendant, Brooke Covington, Kent Covington, Karel Reynolds with Jayne Caulder- who floated in and out of the area. Yes, add to this Word of Fellowship (WOFF) contingency; Matthew Fenner, a few of his family members, supporters and news media. (I was not ready to throw up the red awkward flag, but it was close.) After a few social charged moments mediated by a few laughs, a county official opened the door and we all cautiously entered the courtroom making sure not to touch or encounter any members of the other side.

Once inside the process of choosing your seat began. Strategy and some personal preference led me to sit three rows from the front on the right side with members of Matthew’s family. Before I landed there, I noticed Karel taking out her pen and pad dividing her page into sections as if she were taking attendance and notes for a report to her teacher. Realizing the note taking would be critical, I also began my efforts.

Already in the bar area was District Attorney Ted Bell with his Assistant, David Norris. Over the next few minutes, court employees filtered in and out as preparations were made for the long waited hearing. The highly anticipated Motion for a Change of Venue would be argued along with possible discussion on several other motions. I noticed the clock moving past 2:00PM and felt concerned until Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers enter with defense attorney David Teddy not far behind. Both looked stern as they took their places. Previously, Teddy had invited Brooke to the defense table so; the show was ready to begin.

Calling out the introduction, All rise…. The bailiff announced the Honorable Judge Gary Gavenus was set to preside- this court will now come to order! Be seated.

Continue reading Friday: Fenner Hearing in Rutherford County (video) →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Fenner Case: Next Hearing May 19th- 2:00PM

Leave a comment

The next chapter in the Matthew Fenner case is scheduled for Friday, May 19th at 2:00PM. Rccatalyst.com reported on May 9th an additional motion placed on the agenda for the hearing. A Motion of Discovery filed by ADA Garland Byers seeks the preview of all documents, photographs, video recordings which Brooke Covington’s defense attorney David Teddy plans to use during trial. The State also requests to learn if Teddy plans to use insanity, self-defense, voluntary or involuntary intoxication as her defense along with the reuqest for a list of any expert witnesses. A copy of the Motion is found in the article at Rccatalyst.com.

The list of Motions include:
– Defendant’s Motion for Change of Venue,
– Defendant’s Motion for a Bill of Particulars ( opposed by the State in Rccatalyst.com-here)
– State’s Motion for Joinder of Offenses for Trial
– State’s Motion in the Alternative to a venue change s Special Venire (jury pool),
– Motion for Discovery

One more motion by the State filed March 22nd- Motion for Jury View & Testimony During Jury View was discussed in a previous hearing, but not listed in the Rccatlyst.com coverage.

The Motion for Change of Venue will determine the future of this case when and where it will be held. The outcome of the Change of Venire will tell us from which county the jury pool will originate, if different from Rutherford County. The Motion for Jury View if approved will allow the jury to visit Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) and have Matthew describe in sworn testimony the events that unfolded the fateful night of January 27, 2013. My friends, we are not surprised that Jane Whaley is fighting this Motion with her own attorney, John W. Gresham. She is putting her foot down, her hand held up high and her shrill cry peeling the paint off the walls in warring prayer to squash any effort to cast her beloved sanctuary as a potential crime scene.
Continue reading Fenner Case: Next Hearing May 19th- 2:00PM →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

WCNC 36- “The Defenders”- and My Response to WOFF Hostage Videos

5 Comments

(updated 5/6/17 10:32AM)
Friday evening, WCNC Channel 36 out of Charlotte ran a news piece briefly reviewing the controversy surrounding Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The segment titled, “The Defenders”. The reporter, Mark Boyle, labeled this piece as “balanced” in that he gave WOFF a platform for their rebuttal to charges being leveled against them. The video recaps the criminal charges against Brooke Covington in the Matthew Fenner case and also includes video of Benjamin Cooper, audio of Jane Whaley, video of my family and one comment from me. The video is just over four minutes ending with the reporter saying they reached out to the leader of the church and she did not offer a comment except to call the allegations “gossip and lies.”.

Some of the material for this piece was gathered a few months back. The audio of Jane during Benjamin’s attempt to tell her that he and his wife were leaving WOFF is one of the most revealing and intense components. My ex-wife, Martha, is shown giving her take on my exit while I am shown calling that period of my life a “train wreck.” For those who have read my book, “Locked in”, you understand the reference.

For a few weeks, I have been pondering my response to the WOFF hostage videos which include my children. The pressures for everyone, not just my family, to rewrite their personal history in order to fit the now narrative is revealing and sad. I get it as I lived there and know that pressure. The comments made by my ex-wife are WOFF-revealing and in fact expose the very dynamics which in other places are denied vehemently. It would be confusing, if it were not so obvious to former members who survived the ever-changing Jane-centered conundrum filled “logic.”

This seems to be the right time to refocus on important issues – Sarah and Michael. Yes, I have concern for all behind the invisible WOFF-walls of fear and intimidation. Several have chosen their personal freedom recently, a trend which I hope continues and increases. The following is my answer to the damage control efforts put out by WOFF.

The Love in My Heart… Answer to my children
(please, continue reading)
Continue reading WCNC 36- “The Defenders”- and My Response to WOFF Hostage Videos →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

Fenner Case Update: Brooke Covington in Court

Leave a comment

Monday morning, Brooke Covington made an appearance in Rutherford County court alongside her attorney David Teddy. Assistant District Attorney Garland Byers scheduled the meeting for a judge to rule on five pending motions in the Matthew Fenner assault case. This case stems from charges involving an incident on January 27, 2013 in the sanctuary of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF).

Brooke Covington is one of five individuals indicted with charges against them ranging from second degree kidnapping, assault and attempting to inflict injury by strangulation. Adam Bartley, Robert Lewis Walker, Jr., Justin Covington and Sarah Anderson are the others who were indicted. The case has been delayed beyond reasoning with pre-trial motions, rulings, and disqualification of the original WOFF attorneys attempting to represent all five defendants. The disqualification was appealed to the NC Court of Appeals and later withdrawn after one of the petitioners in the appeal, Sarah Anderson, left WOFF and requested new representation.

During Monday’s session, five motions were slated for review.
1. The Defendant’s Motion for Change of Venue;
2. The Defendant]s Motion for a Bill of Particulars;
3. The State’s Motion for Jury View & Testimony During Jury View;
4. The State’s Motion for Joinder of Offenses for Trial; and
5. The State’s Motion for the Alternative for a Special Venire.

The State’s Motion for Jury View required a notice sent to Joshua Farmer as he is known as the “general counsel’ for WOFF. However, attorney John W. Gresham was hired to represent WOFF in opposition to the motion. He has represented Jane Whaley in years past and it came as no surprise he was brought in for this hearing.

As ADA Byers gave the judge a recap of the case, he explained that Judge Thomas Davis has recused himself from the proceedings. Byers has originally scheduled the hearing for May 22nd, but rescheduled for April 24th upon learning that Judge Gary Gavenus was not available in May. Attorney Teddy used the rescheduling as a reason to request for further delay stating he was not prepared to argue the Change of Venue with all the recent publicity about WOFF.

At several points, Gresham attempted to interject his views that the Motion for Jury View was unconstitutional and that he was prepared to provide large photographs of the scene. Finally, Judge Gavenus rebuffed Gresham and told him not to worry about the Motion to View at this time.
Continue reading Fenner Case Update: Brooke Covington in Court →

Uncategorized

Your Reasons to leave WOFF? Here is a start…

3 Comments

Sometimes it helps to write things down. For those inside of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF), it may not be prudent for you to write down your reasons, so allow me to do this for you. After all, writing things down can bring clarity and helps you focus. Of course, I am out and have been for several years. What I write may not be exactly your reason, but it may come close. These are in no particular order.

1. You are tired of being told what to do in every part of your life including how to dress, where to work, where to live, what car to drive, who to love, who to hate, who is your “friend”, who is your “enemy”…
2. You see the shallowness of the alternate WOFF-reality and crave genuine relationships based on true character and not someone’s interpretation of your thoughts, your desires, your world…
3. You are not happy with the guilt of actually not believing what you are supposed to believe.
4. You did not choose WOFF- someone else chose it for you.
5. You see the charade for what it is and need a fresh and new start to find out who you really are and who you want to become.
6. You are tired of being broke- financially.
7. You are tired of working for free or minimal pay.
8. You are tired of being broken- emotionally.
9. You are tired of being told you are full of sin and living on the edge of intense correction over the simplest of things.
10. You want your own cell phone- not subject to search.
11. You want to finish college, but were told it’s not the “will of God.”
12. You are tired of hiding the WOFF secrets.
Continue reading Your Reasons to leave WOFF? Here is a start… →

Uncategorized, WOFF Updates

AP Investigation –Broken Faith –Audio Clips Released

2 Comments

The AP Investigation- Broken Faith has now posted audio clips under – “Voice from the Church.” The investigation revolves around testimonies of ex-members of Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF). The content of these testimonies has resulted in two Assistant District Attorneys- Frank Webster and Chris Back being “no longer employed.” Also, Lori Cornelius, Cleveland County Department of Social Services employee “resigning” as of March 17, 2017. Link also includes 14 stories from the Broken Faith Investigation.

List of clips include:

Jeffrey Cooper: talking about a meeting with Frank Webster’s comments included. Second clip about the roles played during the mock trials.

Jane Whaley: explaining her perspective on not reporting sexual abuse. A second clip of her casting dispersions on a 13- year old young girl who was molested during her time inside WOFF. Third clip of her loudly encouraging David Caulder.

Jamey Anderson: explaining a meeting with Jane, a second clip about the fear in daily life of WOFF.

Jay Plummer: explaining the abuse he experienced.

Tiago Cherubino: talking about an attack he witnessed.

Rick Cooper: explain how WOFF worked to shape its reputation.

John Cooper: he describes the consequences of speaking out at the church. Second clip about the restrictions on marital sex.

Danielle Cordez: recounting a failed attempt to run away from home. (gripping) Second clip explaining what is needed to end the abuse at WOFF.

Tim Cornelius: he describes a 7 year-old retelling the experience of being beaten in the classroom for daydreaming.

Thank you, to each and every ex-member who was willing to be interviewed by Mitch Weiss and the AP Investigative team. We have shared experiences which have shocked this nation and the international community. Not everyone experienced the same level of abuse; however, in some way, each member of WOFF goes through some type of abuse whether socially, emotionally, mentally, spiritually, physically or destruction of relationships with friends or family who decide not to join or express some contrary opinion about Jane Whaley, church practices or any aspect of this dangerous closed sub-CULTure.

Telling the secrets is one of the first steps to healing. I encourage all ex-members to continue on this journey of recovery. There is hope; it is a new day in the saga called Word of Faith Fellowship.
Continue reading AP Investigation –Broken Faith –Audio Clips Released →