Judge dismisses 6 charges against father of Word of Life victims

Syracuse.com, New York/March 9, 2016

By Elizabeth Doran

Utica -- Six charges were dismissed today in Oneida County Court against Bruce Leonard, father of the Word of Life Christian Church victims.

The prosecution requested the judge dismiss all kidnapping charges and one murder charge against Leonard.

Leonard still faces seven charges, including second-degree murder and manslaughter, in the case, according to the the prosecution.

Leonard is among nine Word of Life Christian Church defendants who are charged with beating two young young men for hours after an eight-hour church session. Lucas Leonard, 19, died from his injuries and Christopher Leonard, 17, was severely injured.

Sarah Ferguson, the half-sister of Christopher and Lucas, also had six charges dismissed against her in court last week.

Oneida County District Attorney Scott McNamara said today he moved to dismiss the charges against Leonard and Ferguson because he believes they were under the influence of other defendants who "exercised control over the entire Leonard family.''

One of the defendants, Deborah Leonard, struck a plea deal for her alleged role in the beatings in exchange for cooperating against other church members. Leonard is the mother of the two Leonard brothers.

The question of what prompted the counseling session that led to the beatings has not yet been answered, though allegations of witchcraft, threats to leave the church and other possible reasons have surfaced. Police have said that there is no evidence of molestation against the church's youngest members.

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