Defendants In Word Of Life Church Beating Appear In Court

Seven defendants in the Word of Life Church beating case were in Oneida County Court on Monday.

Church Pastor Tiffanie Irwin, Joseph Irwin, Daniel Irwin, Traci Irwin, Sarah Ferguson and Linda and David Morey were all offered pleas deals by the District Attorney's Office.

They will all be back in court the week of January 11th to decide whether or not to accept the offers.

Bruce Leonard will be in court on Wednesday.

The defendants are facing charges including second-degree murder, manslaughter, kidnapping and gang assault.

Last week, Deborah Leonard, the mother of Lucas and Christopher Leonard, pleaded guilty to assault charges. She's scheduled to be sentenced to five years in prison in February.

Lucas and Christopher were brutally beaten during a church "counseling session" In October.  Lucas died from injuries suffered during the session.