Word of Life Trial: Father Who Beat Sons Tells Why He Did It

By Micaela Parker
The Observer-Dispatch
June 29, 2016

http://www.uticaod.com/news/20160629/word-of-life-trial-father-who-beat-sons-tells-why-he-did-it

The teens had admitted their sins and members of the parish were committed to a resolution.

When questioning Lucas and Christopher Leonard in the small sanctuary of the Word of Life Christian Church resulted in admissions of sexual misconduct but no reasonable explanations, discipline was introduced to the session, the father of the teens testified in court Wednesday.

Bruce Leonard, 66, was asked why he took part in the whipping with his wife and step-daughter.

“So they would understand the hurt they had caused,” Bruce Leonard said. “Discipline for punishment.”

Ferguson, 33, is one of nine defendants accused of participating in an October counseling session in the Chadwicks church that resulted in the death of 19-year-old Lucas Leonard and severe injury to his brother Christopher Leonard, 17. She faces charges including second-degree murder and first- and second-degree manslaughter.

Contact: mparker@uticaod.com