Oneida County Court Judge Michael Dwyer has found Word of Life Church defendant Sarah Ferguson guilty of five counts in the death of Lucas Leonard and the assault of Christopher Leonard last October.

Ferguson was found guilty of one count of first-degree manslaughter, two counts of assault and two counts of gang assault.

She was found not guilty on a second-degree murder charge.

Dwyer said there was no evidence to show Ferguson knew her brother would die from the beating.  He said the prosecution failed to prove that Sarah knew what was happening internally to Lucas that caused his death.

Dwyer says Ferguson has been convicted of three Class B violent felonies, punishable by up to 25 years in prison.  She'll be sentenced on September 1st.

The judge also continued the gag order on both District Attorney Scott McNamara and defense attorney Rebecca Wittman.

Six more defendants still face trial in the case and Dwyer says he's afraid that any statements made to the media by either side could affect the ability of being able to conduct the trial in Oneida County.
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