Traci's Sentencing
The first victim impact statement I wrote was for Traci Irwin, the founding pastor's wife and current pastor's mother. She was represented in court by Frank Policelli and received a 2 yr sentence for her part in the crimes. Traci and her son, Daniel, were released from Oneida County Correctional Facility on March 24, 2017. (Pictures Credit: Sarah Condon/Observer-Dispatch via AP) I am grateful to D.A. McNamara and Judge Dwyer for allowing me the opportunity to address the court during Traci's sentencing, which happened on Dec. 5, 2016. I always cherished my position as the biggest big sister. My dad often called me “the Eldest.” Never once did I imagine that being the eldest would mean that I would have the responsibility of signing my brother’s death certificate. After leaving the authoritarian group, known as Word of Life Christian Church, in July 2014, I clung to the hope that one day my family would also break free from it and our relationship...