NEW HARTFORD, N.Y. (AP) – An attorney for a woman charged with manslaughter in a deadly assault on her teenage son at a New York church says he believes other people caused the fatal injuries and she didn’t have the emotional strength to intervene.
Lawyer Devin Garramone said Thursday the confrontation “spun out of control” and Deborah Leonard “didn’t have the temerity” to stand up to others in a church where she’d worshipped for 30 years.
Nineteen-year-old Lucas Leonard died and his 17-year-old brother, Christopher, was seriously injured after being beaten Sunday at the Word of Life church in New Hartford. The police chief has said a spiritual “counseling session” turned violent.
But a lawyer for the father, Bruce Leonard, said the incident stemmed from a family meeting that had nothing to do with the church. The teen’s parents are charged with manslaughter. Four other people, including the boys’ 33-year-old sister, face assault charges. All have pleaded not guilty.
Menu