TOWN of NEW HARTFORD

ONEIDA COUNTY

NEW HARTFORD POLICE DEPARTMENT 32 KELLOGG ROAD, NEW HARTFORD, NEW YORK 13413-2850

Telephone: 1-315-733-6666

Fax: 1-315-724-8618

- - - - - Press Release - - - - -

Leonard Homicide and Assault Investigation

The purpose of this press release is to address information that was printed in a New York Times Article

in today’s edition. Within this article it mentions a statement made by Daniel Irwin that indicated that

Church members may have believed that Lucas Leonard was somehow involved in witchcraft or

Voodoo magic, we are not questioning the accuracy of the Times article.

Once again the New Harford Police Department feels compelled to respond to, and stop the spread of

such rumors and dispel these rumors of such behavior by the victim Lucas Leonard, that appear to have

been instigated by a member or members of the “Word of Life Christian Church”.

At this point in the investigation there is no evidence that we are aware of that supports that Lucas

Leonard was engaged in any such activity. This information came from within the church and was

shared with church members, this resulted in a “Counseling Session” being called for by the Pastor

Tiffanie Irwin, which we now know resulted in the violent beating of both these young men, which

lasted over twelve hours and resulted in the death of Lucas Leonard and caused very serious physical

injury to Christopher Leonard.

The New Hartford Police Department cannot emphasis enough that Lucas Leonard and Christopher

Leonard are the true victims of these heinous crimes and at this time it appears that these attacks were

initiated in response to their desire to leave the “Word of Life Christian Church”.

As you know this investigation is ongoing and as such is a work in progress.