New Hartford Town Court Justice William Virkler says Bruce and Deborah Leonard will be held on bail while evidence is presented to a grand jury.
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Nine months after Mathew Ajibade died alone in a jail cell while strapped to a chair, two sheriff’s deputies have been acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in his death but still face prison sentences for… Christopher also was struck in the back.
They both deny the charges.
Another witness, State Police Sgt. Todd Grant, said Bruce Leonard made admissions about what happened to his son and agreed to write a statement.
Lucas Leonard was subjected to a 12-hour ordeal by his parents, sister and fellow church members at the Word of Life Christian church in New Hartford, New York, on Sunday, police and witnesses alleged.
Lucas was taken to the hospital after church members found he wasn’t breathing, police said.
Their daughter, Sarah Ferguson, has been charged with assaulting Christopher Leonard.
Irwin, another member of the church said that he saw everything through a window.
Bruce Leonard, 65, and his wife, Deborah Leonard, 59, were in court a few feet from Irwin on Friday. Christopher in serious condition.
Irwin further stated that he watched bruce Leonard hitting his son up to six times a belt and hit Christopher. He helped load the teen’s body into a van to send him to the hospital.
“Last time I saw him, he was lying on the floor making a sustained monotone moan”, Irwin told the court, referring to Lucas Leonard.
The defendants include Daniel Irwin’s brother, Joseph Irwin. Four belong to the victims’ sister.
Police said Bruce Leonard told hospital personnel workers that his son had been beaten so badly because he had molested a child. He later said he anticipated more people could be charged.
Ferguson and Joseph Irwin are scheduled for their own felony hearing on October. 23.
The group is accused of beating the brothers over the course of more than 10 hours after church services in an attempt to get the teenagers to confess to their sins and apologize. All have pleaded not guilty.
The Moreys were freed on $50,000 bond each and were ordered to appear in court on December. 15.
Deborah Leonard’s attorney, Devin Garramone, said his client had a stent put in due to a heart condition and requires constant medical attention. After hours of being pounded with fists, whipped with cords and kicked, the elder teen died, and his brother was hospitalized.
A teen who was beaten to death inside a church with an electrical cord was attacked because he had said that he no longer wished to be a member of the World of Life Christian Church.
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Authorities said Lucas and Christopher suffered injuries to their abdomens, genitals, backs and thighs. Their parents, Bruce and Deborah Leonard, have been charged with manslaughter.
