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

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Press Release

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Arrests made in Homicide and Assault

As a result of a joint investigation by the New Hartford Police Department and the New York State
Police, six individuals were arrested. Two subjects were charged with Manslaughter in the first degree
and four subjects were charged with Assault in the second degree.
At approximately 12:30 PM, on Monday, October 12th, New Hartford Police were dispatched to St.
Lukes Hospital for a reported gunshot victim that had been brought to the hospital in a private vehicle.
Lucas Leonard (age 19), was pronounced dead at the hospital. After initial interviews were conducted
with the family members who transported Leonard to the hospital, two possible crime scenes were
identified. The first scene was at the Word of Life Church, located at 3354 Oneida Street in New
Hartford. The second scene was a residence located at 2347 Main Street in Clayville.
Once determined that the crime scene could be in one of two municipalities, the New York State Police
were requested to respond to the hospital so a joint investigation could commence.
As the investigation progressed, it was determined that the Word of Life Church was the scene of
crime and a search warrant was secured for that location. The New York State Police SORT (Special
Operations Response Team), The METRO SWAT Team (Utica/New Hartford), along with members of
the Rome Police Department SWAT Team, secured the church grounds and eventually made a tactical
entry into the church building without incident. Members of the New York State Police Forensic
Investigation Unit and New Hartford Police Evidence Technicians then processed the crime scene.
Several church members were interviewed throughout the day and night, and several children were
secured from the church and turned over to Oneida County Child Protective Services.
The victim (Leonard) sustained apparent blunt force trauma to his body during the assault. An autopsy
will be conducted by the Onondaga County Medical Examiners Office to determine the cause of death.
The initial reports of a gunshot wound have not been confirmed.
During the course of the investigation, a second male victim (age 17) was located. The identity of this
male will not be released at this time. This victim is currently in the hospital in serious condition
suffering injuries caused by blunt force trauma as a result of an assault.

As a result of this investigation, the following church members were arrested and charged with the
indicated crimes:
Bruce T. Leonard age 65 residing at 2347 Main Street, Clayville, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B-Felony
Deborah R. Leonard age 59 residing at 2347 Main Street, Clayville, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Manslaughter in the First Degree, a Class B-Felony
Bruce and Deborah Leonard are the parents of the victim, Lucas Leonard.
Joseph Irwin age 26 residing at 3354 Oneida Street, Chadwicks, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Assault in the in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony
David J. Morey age 26 residing at 74 Ballantyne Brae, Utica, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Assault in the in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony
Linda R. Morey age 54 residing at 74 Ballantyne Brae, Utica, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Assault in the in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony
Sarah L. Ferguson age 33 residing at 2347 Main Street, Clayville, NY
Charged with 1 Count of Assault in the in the Second Degree, a Class D Felony
All six of the defendants were arraigned before New Hartford Town Justice William Virkler and
remanded to the Oneida County Jail without bail. All six defendants are scheduled to reappear in New
Hartford Town Court today, October 13, 2015, at 1:00 PM.
This investigation is ongoing between the New Hartford Police, the New York State Police and the
Oneida County District Attorneys Office. Additional arrests and charges are expected to be made in the
following days.
The public is asked to contact the New Hartford Police Department at 724-7111 if they have any
information that may assist in this investigation.