Parents charged with fatally beating son in New York church

Lucas Leonard, 19, was taken by family members in a vehicle to a hospital in nearby Utica on Monday afternoon.

Bruce Leornard, left, and Deborah Leonard, center, stand in the courtroom during their arraignment, Tuesday, October 13, 2015, in New Hartford, N.Y. The central New York couple have been charged with fatally beating their 19-year-old son inside a church, and four fellow church members have been charged with assault in an attack that also left the young man’s brother severely injured, police said Tuesday.

Lucas Leonard was pronounced dead at the hospital.

All six of the defendants were arraigned before New Hartford Town Justice William Virkler and remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail.

Inserra said the man died of blunt-force trauma.

Police said they were called to St. Luke’s Hospital at about 12:30 p.m. Sunday for a 19-year-old male with extensive injuries.

As the investigation progressed, it was determined that the “Word of Life Church” was the scene of crime and a search warrant was secured for that location.

Soon after several church members were interviewed whilst several children were turned over to child welfare officials. Also charged with assault were four church members.

Four others were charged with second-degree assault: 26-year-old Joseph Irwin, 26-year-old David J. Morey, 54-year-old Linda R. Morey and 33-year-old Sarah L. Ferguso. Four fellow church members, including Ferguson have been charged with assault.

All six of those charged in Leonard’s death have plead not guilty.

Bruce Leonard’s lawyer, Don Gerace, told AP that his client would not make bail but declined to comment further. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Friday.

Esper said there is a locked gate that obscures a parking lot behind the Word of Life church.

The New Hartford Police Department and New York State Police are investigating a suspicious death.

The beatings have also led to other questions, including what motivated the group to allegedly beat the two victims?How many people belong to the Word of Life church?