Page 4 - MIN ON 17 OCT 2015

A6
U.S. NEWSSaturday 17 October 2015
Spokeswoman for Lamar Odom’s aunt says he woke up and spoke
SALLY HO
Associated Press
LAS VEGAS (AP) — A family
representative said Lamar
Odom has regained con-
sciousness, speaking and
even offering a thumbs-up
from his hospital bed, just
days after being found in
extremely critical condition
at a Nevada brothel.
Alvina Alston, publicist for
JaNean Mercer, Odom’s
maternal aunt and god-
mother, said that Odom
spoke a greeting and gave
a thumbs-up Friday morn-
ing, his first communication
since being hospitalized in
Las Vegas Tuesday.
A person who is close to
estranged wife Khloe Kar-
dashian, who spoke on the
condition of anonymity be-
cause she was not autho-
rized to release details of
Odom’s condition to the
press, also said that he was
able to say hi to Kardashi-
an.
It serves as the first signifi-
cant update on Odom’s
health since he was found
unconscious and face-
down at the Love Ranch in
Crystal, Nevada, Tuesday
afternoon.
Authorities are still retracing
Odom’s $75,000, three-day
visit to the brothel that start-
ed late afternoon Satur-
Teen wanted to leave church before beating, members say
C. THOMPSON
Associated Press
NEW HARTFORD, New York
(AP) — The fatal beating
of a teenager at his church
erupted during a counsel-
ing session over his desire
to leave the congrega-
tion, members of the insular
group told police.
Congregants explained
that was why the ses-
sion was called Sunday at
the Word of Life Christian
Church in this town in north-
ern New York state, Police
Chief Michael Inserra said

This 2013 photo shows Los Angeles Clippers’ Lamar Odom (7) during an NBA basketball game in cal Center in Las Vegas.
Kardashian rushed to his
Oakland, Calif. A family representative said Lamar Odom has regained consciousness, speaking side that night and since
then, friends, teammates
and even offering a thumbs-up from his hospital bed, just days after being found in extremely criti- and loved ones have vis-
ited and posted messages
cal condition at a Nevada brothel. on social media asking for
prayers. On Wednesday at
(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez) the hospital, the Rev. Jesse
Jackson said Odom was on
day, with blood test results many as 10 supplements the Kardashians” show was life support.
Friday’s latest update on
to determine what caused sold as “herbal Viagra.” mentioned. But he was Odom’s health condi-
tion comes as Mercer and
his medical episode still One brand that he took, generally in a good mood, Kardashian just hours ear-
lier started speaking out to
pending. Reload, was the subject of even suggesting that he thank fans.
Kardashian had said her
The brothel’s owner and a 2013 warning from the stay an entire week at the family won’t be posting
content on their apps while
spokesman have said that Food and Drug Administra- brothel in the rural commu- attending to his health cri-
sis. The online message
he chose two women to tion, which said the pill con- nity. read: “As a family, we’ve
decided to hold off on
accompany him in a VIP tained sildenafil, the active Odom was then found un- publishing content across
our apps while we contin-
suite on his first visit to the ingredient in prescription conscious there Tuesday ue to support and pray for
Lamar.” She also thanked
ranch. Odom had said Viagra. with white and reddish sub- fans for their kindness and
understanding. The mes-
that he had done cocaine The brothel also said he stances coming from his sage was addressed to
fans as a note from Kar-
before his arrival, and the became upset Sunday fol- nose and mouth. He was dashian on her blog-like
app. Announcing a posting
brothel said they saw him lowing a phone call where breathing and taken to black-out is a rarity for the
family, who meticulously
drink alcohol and take as his ex’s “Keeping Up with Sunrise Hospital and Medi- document their lives on
various social media chan-
nels and on the “Keeping
Up with the Kardashians”
television show.q

Friday. might join the Army. she caused the fatal inju- the case to go forward.
“We still have not conclud- Police have said church ries. Bruce and Deborah Leon-
ed why the session turned members were trying to get Meanwhile, the boys’ fa- ard are charged with man-
so violent,” Inserra said the brothers to confess their ther, Bruce Leonard, said slaughter, while the victims’
ahead of a court hearing sins and seek forgiveness. what happened stemmed 33-year-old sister, Sarah
for six people — including After hours of being pound- from a family matter un- Ferguson, and three other
the victim’s parents — who ed with fists, whipped with related to the church and people face assault charg-
have been charged in the cords and kicked, the elder that the parents didn’t in- es. All have pleaded not
attack that left 19-year- teen died, and his brother tend their son’s grave inju- guilty.
old Lucas Leonard dead was hospitalized. ries, according to his law- The roughly 30-year-old
and his 17-year-old brother Their mother, Deborah yer, Donald Gerace. Word of Life church once
Christopher seriously in- Leonard, felt helpless to At Friday’s preliminary had perhaps 40 or more
jured. stop an “intervention” that hearing, prosecutors were members but now counts
A neighbor, James Con- she didn’t expect to be- expected to outline what closer to 20, Inserra said.
stantine, also said Lucas come so harsh, said her they believe happened. Some live at the church,
had talked about moving lawyer, Devin Garramone. They must reveal enough to which occupies a former
on and had mentioned he He said he doesn’t believe persuade a judge to allow school in New Hartford.q