North Carolina Church Leader Faces Retrial in Long-Running Assault and Kidnapping Case
Brooke Covington of Word of Faith Fellowship faces a retrial for alleged assault and kidnapping. Legal proceedings resume Monday in Buncombe County.
POLICY WIRE — Spindale, North Carolina — Brooke Covington, a prominent leader within the secretive Word of Faith Fellowship, is scheduled to appear in court this Monday to face long-standing charges of kidnapping and assault. The upcoming proceedings in Buncombe County mark a significant development in a case that has remained unresolved for over nine years.
The charges stem from an incident occurring more than 13 years ago, involving former congregant Matthew Fenner. Fenner alleges that he was restrained, choked, and beaten for two hours by Covington and other church members during a ritual the group referred to as a “blasting” session, intended to purge what they described as “homosexual demons.”
Covington, who maintains her innocence, previously stood trial in 2017. That initial attempt at justice resulted in a mistrial after it was discovered that the jury foreman had introduced outside research into the deliberation process.
The path to a retrial has been marked by extensive delays, including the global COVID-19 pandemic, the retirement or death of key legal counsel, and the appointment of a new prosecutor from a different jurisdiction. The case was eventually transferred to a special prosecutor following a contentious legal battle regarding the conduct of District Attorney Ted Bell.
📄 POLICY WIRE WHITEPAPER PUBLISHED: PAKISTAN’S NATIONAL SECURITY POLICY PRIORITIES
Fenner’s attorney, Andrew LaBreche, had previously attempted to disqualify Bell, alleging the prosecutor was biased toward the church. While Superior Court Judge William Stetzer denied the motion to remove Bell, he subsequently ordered a three-year suspension of LaBreche’s law license, citing acts of dishonesty. LaBreche is currently appealing that decision.
Founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley, the Word of Faith Fellowship has consistently denied allegations of abuse. Jane Whaley, regarded by followers as a prophet, has argued that church disciplinary actions are shielded by constitutional religious freedoms.
A 2017 investigation by the Associated Press detailed claims from dozens of former members who described a culture of extreme control, including physical violence such as slapping and choking during prayer. While the church once boasted approximately 700 members in North Carolina, recent estimates suggest the congregation has dwindled to between 300 and 400 individuals.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
