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.
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A joint investigation by the New Hartford police and the New York State Police determined that a second victim, Leonard’s 17-year-old brother had also been assaulted.
Police say Lucas Leonard died Monday after he was beaten at Word of Life Church in New Hartford with injuries to his stomach, genitals, back, and thighs, according to the Utica Observer-Dispatch.
He was brought there in a private vehicle, and he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving, Inserra said. The initial reports of a gunshot wounds have not been confirmed.
Bruce Leonard, 65, and Deborah Leonard, 59, of Clayville, were charged with first-degree manslaughter in the death of their son Lucas, said Lt. Timothy O’Neill of the New Hartford Police Department. Several church members were interviewed throughout the day and night, and several children were secured from the church and turned over to Oneida County Child Protective Services. CNN has been unable to locate their attorneys. Their lawyers attempting to lessen the bail with the plea of no prior convictions and Leonard’s mother suffering a medical condition.
Meanwhile, authorities said there was a large police presence in the 3300 block of Oneida St.at around 7:30 p.m. Neighbors reported seeing heavily armed SWAT officers, and at least one person may have been taken into custody. Also charged with assault were four church members.
“I really don’t know much about the place. They are certainly not a mainline church”.
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Police say additional arrests and charges are expected to be made in the following days.
