Bruce Leonard Takes the Stand in Word of Life Trial

By Tom Coyne
CNY Homepage
June 29, 2016

http://www.cnyhomepage.com/news/bruce-leonard-takes-the-stand-in-word-of-life-trial

Bruce Leonard, father of the victims in the Word of Life Church beatings, took the stand against his step daughter Wednesday afternoon. His sons, Lucas and Christopher, were the victims of the beating administered at the church in Chadwicks in October, 2015. Lucas died of his injuries from that beating and Chris was seriously injured.

Bruce Leonard has pleaded guilty to assault in a plea deal worked out in exchange for his testimony. Leonard begins to recall the events of October 11, 2015. He took his family to the church on Oneida Street in Chadwicks. He said that the service began about noon and during the dinner break he and Lucas left the church to take care of a neighbor’s dog. He added that he had to get Pastor Tiffanie Irwin’s permission to leave the church.

Bruce testified that Pastor Tiffanie told him that she wanted his family to stay after the service. Leonard said that he didn’t know that a “counseling session” was about to start and he did not know the subject matter to be covered.

Leonard testified that many people came and went at the counseling session, including Linda and David Morey and Joseph Irwin. They have each been indicted by a Grand Jury in the case. He said that Pastor Tiffanie was directing the session and asking questions of Lucas Leonard. He says that Lucas wasn’t forth coming with information.

Bruce Leonard testified that Tiffanie Irwin began to ask Lucas about sex abuse charges. He said that he never caught his sons in inappropriate activity with the younger children.

Leonard said that Tiffanie Irwin asked if Lucas had used OxyContin. Lucas had had leg surgery and was using the pain killer.

Pastor Tiffanie Irwin brought up the sex abuse allegation and witchcraft. Bruce said that his son Lucas admitted to witchcraft and had a voodoo doll representing Pastor Tiffanie. When asked by Tiffanie Irwin about sex abuse, Lucas wouldn’t answer. The older Leonard said that Tiffanie asked Christopher about his sexual habits. When Chris wouldn’t answer Christ was punched by Joe Irwin.

Bruce said that, contrary to previous testimony, he never instructed Joseph Irwin to hit his son Christopher. He said that, after the punch, there were more questions for Christopher and that Linda Morey hit Chris. He said that Morey slapped Chris and did not punch him.

Bruce said that the electrical cord was used after Chris was hit by Morey. He said that someone gave him the cord and he whipped his sons with it. He said that when the Chris fell Pastor Tiffanie ordered them to get back up.

The father of the victims said that Lucas did not ask him to stop the whipping, but winced when struck with the cord.

When asked why he did this to his sons, Bruce testified that he did it so they would understand the hurt they had caused and for discipline and punishment. He referred to the bible verse of blows that drive off evil.

A now crying Bruce Leonard told the DA that he now realizes that he over reacted to the situation. He gave the cord to Sarah Ferguson who began to whip the boys, asking “How could you?” Ferguson had no further contact with her half-brothers after the whipping.

Bruce said that Lucas was given water and that was the extent of the assistance given. The father said that he remained in the small sanctuary of the church and was there when it was discovered that something was wrong with Lucas.

He said he was called to the large sanctuary where Lucas was lying on his back on top of a tarp. He was not breathing. CPR was started. Bruce said that he started CPR then Chris and Traci Irwin followed. Lucas wasn’t responding and Bruce decided to take his son to the hospital.

Leonard is questioned about his sons attended another church’s service in August. Bruce said that it may have come up during the counseling session.

During questioning about the family relationship with the Word of Life Church, Bruce Leonard was asked if his sons were taught to submit to the authority of the church and Pastor Tiffanie. Bruce Leonard answered yes. When asked if Pastor Tiffanie Irwin is a profit of God Bruce Leonard said he believed that she hears from God.

Defense attorney Wittman told Judge Dwyer that she wants more time to prepare for cross examination of Bruce Leonard. That will happen Thursday morning.

Contact: tcoyne@wutr.tv