N.Y. Teen Describes Church Beating That Killed Brother

The New York teen who was recently brutally beaten by his parents and other members of his church has now spoken out in court regarding the bizarre "counseling session" that killed his brother. 

17-year-old Christopher Leonard, whose brother died as a result of the recent beating from members of Word of Life Christian Church in New Hartford, New York, recently spoke of the secretive beating while at a court hearing for his half-sister.

The teen's half-sister is being charged with assault for her participation the recent beating that left Christopher severely injured and claimed the life of his brother, Lucas.

According to the Associated Press, Christopher appeared at his half-sister's hearing this week to testify against her, describing the beating that lasted a reported six hours or more on Sunday evening.

Christopher said he was repeatedly punched by six members of the congregation, including his parents and half-sister, as well as beaten with a folded electrical wire.

"It hurt," the timid teen told the court, adding "everywhere."

Christopher's parents have been charged with manslaughter in the death of Lucas, with the lawyer for the boys' mother saying his client was too timid to stop the beatings from taking the place.

The boys were reportedly beaten by church members during a bizarre counseling session meant to convince them to repent for their sins.

Although it remains unclear what sins the boys had committed, officials have said that the boys were beaten because they expressed desire to leave the secretive church, which is housed in an abandoned school building.

Christopher also described seeing his brother Lucas unconscious on the floor and not breathing.

"I knew something wasn't right," Christopher said in court. "I looked over, I rushed over and saw that he wasn't breathing. I tried to give him CPR."