Word of Faith Leader's Retrial for Assault, Kidnapping Set for Monday

An assault and kidnapping retrial for Brooke Covington, a leader within the Word of Faith Fellowship religious group, is scheduled to begin Monday in North Carolina. This marks the return to court for the case over nine years after her initial trial concluded in 2017 without a verdict.

Covington was initially tried on charges of second-degree kidnapping and simple assault, stemming from allegations that she held down and beat a former member of the group more than 13 years ago. The first trial ended in a mistrial when a juror reportedly brought outside research into deliberations. Covington has consistently maintained her innocence.

The path to a new trial has been protracted, affected by factors including the COVID-19 pandemic, a legal dispute over the original prosecutor that led to the suspension of an attorney's law license, and the transition of the case to a new prosecutor in a different jurisdiction due to the deaths or retirements of legal professionals involved.

Allegations of Abuse Within Word of Faith

The case centers on allegations made by Matthew Fenner, who joined the Word of Faith Fellowship as a teenager in 2010. Fenner claims that during a church service on the group's compound in Spindale, North Carolina, members, including Covington, initiated a "blasting" session. According to Fenner, he was held down, choked, and beaten for approximately two hours while other members prayed to expel perceived "homosexual demons."

Founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley, Word of Faith Fellowship is a nondenominational Protestant church located in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Members consider Jane Whaley a prophet.

In 2017, The Associated Press published a series of reports detailing allegations of abuse from former church members. These reports were based on interviews with dozens of former congregants globally, analysis of secretly recorded conversations, and reviews of legal and child welfare documents.

Church Denials and Legal Challenges

Representatives for Word of Faith and Jane Whaley have denied claims of abuse, stating that any disciplinary actions are protected under the Constitution's freedom of religion clause. The church has asserted that the allegations are false and are being promoted by certain former members seeking to target the organization.

The case faced further complications when Fenner's attorney accused the then-District Attorney Ted Bell of favoring the church, leading to the appointment of a special prosecutor. The attorney contended that Bell had not adequately investigated new evidence or witnesses and had agreed to drop the felony kidnapping charge against Covington.

In response, Bell presented evidence, including text messages, to counter the claims, asserting he had refused to engage in conversations with church members that aimed to divert focus from the assault cases. Superior Court Judge William Stetzer denied the request to remove Bell and, citing "repeated acts of dishonesty and significant harm to the legal profession," suspended the attorney's law license for three years, also awarding Bell legal fees. The attorney is appealing this ruling, and his suspension has been delayed pending the appeal.

Group's Influence and Membership Decline

Reports suggest that Word of Faith Fellowship, which once had around 700 members in North Carolina a decade ago, has seen its membership decline to an estimated 300 to 400 individuals. Previous investigations by the AP indicated that the church exerted significant control over its members' lives, dictating aspects such as marriage, education, and career choices. The AP also reported allegations that the church and its followers influenced local law enforcement and social services, potentially hindering fair investigations into alleged abuses.