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Brothers severely beaten during confessional counseling at secretive New York church

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Six members of the church arrested over spirtual beating

Two brothers were severely beaten during a counseling session in a secretive New York church called the Word of Life. Thinking they were going to be able to "discuss their spiritual state," the boys were met by their parents and other congregants.

For several hours, Lucas Leonard, 19, and Christopher Leonard, 17, faced constant punches and kicks to their entire bodies, "in hopes that each would confess to prior sins and ask for forgiveness." Lucas was found unresponsive by church members the next morning, and pronounced dead upon arrival to the hospital. Christopher remains hospitalized in serious condition.


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