Full Breakdown
Retrial of Word of Faith Leader Brooke Covington Set After Years of Delays
By Drooid · · How we work
New Trial Commences in Buncombe County
A second-degree kidnapping and simple assault case against Brooke Covington, the leader of the Word of Faith Fellowship, is scheduled to begin on Monday in Buncombe County. The trial follows a 2017 jury mistrial that was declared after the foreman introduced independent research into deliberations. Prosecutors maintain that Covington restrained and beat former member Matthew Fenner more than 13 years ago; Covington has consistently asserted her innocence. Neither Covington’s attorney nor the new prosecutor responded to requests for comment about the upcoming proceedings.
History of Allegations Against Word of Faith Fellowship
Word of Faith is a nondenominational Protestant church founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley in the Blue Ridge foothills of North Carolina. The Associated Press’s 2017 investigation reported extensive abuse claims, including physical restraint, choking, and “blasting” sessions intended to expel “homosexual demons.” The AP also described the group’s control over members’ education, marriage choices, and daily activities, and noted that the church denied the allegations, characterizing them as attacks by former members. Membership, once around 700, has reportedly fallen to roughly 300-400 according to a sworn statement from a former leader.
Prosecutorial Dispute and Attorney Suspension
The case was transferred to a special prosecutor after Fenner’s lawyer accused District Attorney Ted Bell of favoring Word of Faith and of dropping the kidnapping charge. Attorney Andrew LaBreche alleged Bell failed to investigate new evidence and that Bell provided text messages to steer conversations away from assault allegations. Superior Court Judge William Stetzer denied LaBreche’s request to remove Bell and, citing “repeated acts of dishonesty,” suspended LaBreche’s law license for three years while the appeal proceeds.
Current Legal Landscape and Potential Outcomes
Covington faces the same charges that led to the 2017 mistrial. The new prosecution will proceed under the special prosecutor appointed after the dispute, and the court has not indicated any further delays. The outcome will determine whether the state can secure convictions for the alleged kidnapping and assault.
Broader Implications for the Group and Community
The retrial occurs amid reports that Word of Faith’s influence over local law enforcement and social services has historically impeded investigations. A conviction could further diminish the congregation’s already reduced membership and may prompt renewed scrutiny of the group’s practices within the broader North Carolina religious community.
