Testimony Begins In Sarah Ferguson Trial

Testimony got underway Friday morning in Oneida County Court in the trial of Sarah Ferguson.

Ferguson is facing charges in the beating death of Lucas Leonard and the assault of Christopher Leonard inside the Word of Life Church in Chadwicks last October.

New Hartford Police Officer Justin Gehringer was the first prosecution witness to take the stand.

The courtroom was shown photos of Lucas Leonard on the day he died.  A picture of Lucas' hand showed extensive bruising.  Another photo showed his pants completely covered in blood.

WUTR's Sean Martinelli says Ferguson rarely, if ever, looked up at the photos.

Martinelli says District Attorney Scott McNamara has entered into evidence a power chord found in a supply closet at the church.  McNamara says the chord resembles the one described by some witnesses as the one used to beat Lucas and Christoper.

A security officer at St.Luke's Hospital has testified that a woman who appears to have been Deborah Leonard, Lucas and Christopher's mother, came out of a van on October 12th, approached him outside the hospital and a told him "somebody's dying."

Two nurses who were working at St. Luke's when Lucas was brought to the hospital also took the stand today and testified about his injuries.

Testimony has wrapped up for the day is set to resume on Monday.

Thanks to WUTR's Sean Martinelli for contributing to this story.