Page 5 - atoday
P. 5
U.S. NEWS A5
Thursday 15 October 2015
Police: Brothers were beaten in church to make them confess
JOHN KEKIS ness,” Inserra said. From left, Sarah Ferguson, 33, Linda Morey, 54, Joseph Irwin, 26, and David Morey, 26, are ar-
Associated Press The parents, Bruce and raigned in front of Judge Bill M. Virkler after being charged with second-degree assault of 17-year-
NEW HARTFORD, New York Deborah Leonard, were old Christopher T. Leonard, in New Hartford, N.Y.
(AP) — Two teenage broth- charged with manslaugh-
ers were brutally beaten in ter in Lucas’ death. Four (Mark DiOrio/Observer-Dispatch via AP)
church — one of them fa- other adults were charged
tally — in an effort by their with assault in the younger tion continues. entered it. Several children “It’s really sad. I think that
parents, sister and other brother’s beating, includ- The investigation began were turned over to child people have always been
members of the congre- ing Sarah Ferguson, 33, about 12:30 p.m. Mon- welfare authorities. so suspicious. Why are they
gation to force them to the victims’ sister. All have day when family members Nancy Kneller, who works so secretive? Why are there
confess their sins and seek pleaded not guilty. brought Lucas Leonard to at a Catholic church next no kids out playing?” she
forgiveness, police said Lawyers for the parents a hospital, where he was door to Word of Life, de- said. Still, she said, “I think
Wednesday. and the sister had no com- pronounced dead. Police scribed the congregation they’re good people that
Police Chief Michael Inser- ment. Contact information surrounded the church and as a close-knit group. made a bad decision.”q
ra said investigators are still for the other defendants’
looking into what the sup- attorneys wasn’t immedi-
posed sins were. ately available.
Lucas and Christopher The church is a former el-
Leonard, 19 and 17, were ementary school where a
pounded with fists Sunday Christian congregation has
at the Word of Life Church worshipped for as many as
when a “counseling ses- 30 years.
sion” meant to explore Neighbors in the once-
their spiritual state turned thriving mill town of 22,000
violent, Inserra said. They people about 50 miles east
were beaten in the abdo- of Syracuse said the con-
men, genitals, back and gregation’s secretive ways
thighs, authorities said. made them suspicious.
Lucas died and his brother “I’m really afraid. In my
was hospitalized in serious heart I don’t think this is
condition. Six church mem- the first incident,” said
bers — including the broth- Eva Monaghan, who lives
ers’ parents and sister — around the corner from the
have been arrested. church. “Over all the years,
“Both brothers were sub- I can’t imagine this is the
jected to physical punish- first thing. Maybe nothing
ment over the course of as bad. Around town, it’s
several hours, in hopes that considered a cult.”
each would confess to pri- Police said more arrests are
or sins and ask for forgive- expected as the investiga-
Customs agents: Traveler hid
cocaine in oil, vinegar bottles
NEW YORK (AP) — Law en- and detected an unusual
forcement officials say a chemical odor.
passenger arriving at New Customs officials say the
York’s Kennedy Airport had liquid in six bottles tested
11 pounds of liquid co- positive for cocaine. They
caine packed into oil and say the total weight of the
vinegar bottles. cocaine was 11 pounds
U.S. Customs and Border and the street value was
Protection says the co- $194,000. The case is under
caine was found Oct. 5 investigation by the De-
when Andres Josue Leal partment of Homeland Se-
Valle arrived with three suit- curity.No information on an
cases and a carry-on bag. attorney for Leal Valle was
Agents say they opened immediately available.
bottles of oil and vinegar Leal Valle is a citizen of
in Leal Valle’s luggage Guatemala. q
