More Details Emerge About the Brutal Beating of Two Brothers at NY State Church

The story of a 19 year-old New Hartford, NY man who was beaten at church along with his younger brother, by his parents, sister, and other church goers, has shocked the country. Lucas Leonard eventually died from his injuries. Now more details are emerging.

Police say Lucas and 17 year-old Christopher Leonard were beaten for hours at the Word of Life Church in New Hartford in the hopes of getting them to "confess" to sins and seek forgiveness. New Hartford Police Chief Michael Inserra said during a news conference that the brothers were beaten for hours, with church members using fists and feet to assault them. Younger brother Christopher Leonard was beaten by Word of Life Church memebers, Linda Morey, Joseph Irwin, Sarah Ferguson and David Morey, Inserra said. Sarah Ferguson is the sister of the Leonard brothers. Inserra said that authorities have not determined what the punishment was for at this point.

It was when Lucas Leonard stopped breathing Monday morning that family members took him to a Utica hospital.

Police Cheif Inserra said that Christopher is currently at the hospital in serious condition. Also, seven children between the ages of 2 and 15 were removed from the church, Inserra said. The church doubled as residence for some members.

Police found no evidence to support rumors that the brothers were molesting children, Inserra said.

Deborah and Bruce Leonard, ages 59 and 65, have both been charged with first-degree manslaughter. Linda Morey, 54, Irwin, 26, Ferguson, 33, and David Morey, 26, have been have been charged with second-degree assault.

Additional arrests and charges may be pending, Inserra said.