Luke's Thunder

The judge declares, "I am sentencing you to 10 years in state prison..." OK, but what does that really mean? What does that look like? Is it simply that you are released from one cult only to be imprisoned by another? Well, kinda. Is it like The Blip that is part of the Marvel Avengers storyline? After 10 years of absence, you can return to the life you had before you went in? Definitely not.  10-year sentence. Some say it's nowhere near long enough. Some would have sentenced the convicted like Doc Hudson wanted to do with Lightning McQueen. "All right, I wanna know who's responsible for wrecking my town, Sheriff. I want his hood on a platter! I'm gonna put him in jail 'til he rots. No, check that... I'm gonna put him in jail 'til the jail rots on top of him, then I'm gonna move him to a new jail and let that jail rot." But in Pixar's Cars , what actually plays out is transformative justice--a realization and demonstration that active...

Six years ago, the soul of a hero was released from his battered and bloodied body. Today, I grieve. I grieve hard and the tears come too easy--not only for Luke, but also for all that has been lost, which cannot be recovered. My thoughts, my memories and emotions are diverse--existing along a spectrum from deep, mired grief to enormous, swelling pride for my brothers' bravery. At this time, six years past the date that will forever mark the before and after in my life, closure is still elusive, and I question exactly what is justice. Nothing has happened that I would consider justice in this case. Punitive, vengeful reactions are not justice. Justice is transformative, creative, safe. If justice had been served, we would feel safe and assured that the harm will not be repeated. Considering that Joseph Irwin will most likely be out of prison on this date one year from now, will we feel safe? Why is it that an offender is released to serve parole or probation in the county of commit...

Today, Sarah Gilmore (Ferguson) is 38 years old. She is my [step]sister. This is her 5th birthday behind bars, where she is serving 25 years for manslaughter in the first degree, assault, and gang assault. She killed our brother, Lucas Leonard. She also mercilessly, brutally beat our brother, Christopher Leonard. Chris survived because Luke died. Sarah will be in prison for 17 more years, at least.  For some reason, our justice system wants victims to believe that after a seemingly abstract amount of time served by the offender everything will be better. I don't buy it. Not at all. The Department of Corrections and Community Service. What the hell can take 25 years to correct?? No, prison is punitive. Prison only causes greater pain, suffering, and destruction. That is not justice, and Sarah is black.  Sarah's trial in July 2016 accurately painted her as a mother and sister who became a terrifying machine of destruction. Her rage was fueled by cult leaders and members who deci...

Author Susan Ashline's book  Without A Prayer: The Death of Lucas Leonard and How One Church Became a Cult was released on August 6, 2019. To punctuate the launch, a Q&A conversation and signing event was held at the Barnes & Noble store in New Hartford, NY. Susan led a question & answer discussion panel with individuals featured in the book: Anthony Sokolowski, who was an intern working on the case at the Oneida County District Attorney's office; Father Rich Dibble, an Anglican priest, who became an incredibly supportive friend to my father and our whole family; Helen Lehrer Leonard, who was present as a former member of WLCC; and myself. The store sold-out of the copies they had ordered--55 copies being sold that evening. Another 20 copies were ordered by guests. I would estimate about 50 people attended the event. My experience working with Susan Ashline on this book during the past 17 months has been memorable. Susan is a woman of great integrity and pro...

Updated August 15, 2019 We have made the 4-hour trip to Dannemora's Clinton Correctional Facility several times in the past two years. Dad was originally transferred to Clinton Correctional Facility in July 2017. He was transported from there for a family court hearing a couple months later and ended up spending too long at Auburn--in the SHU--because the court date was postponed. He returned to Clinton in October 2017 and has been quite content to stay put ever since. The atmosphere of Clinton is much more laid back and overall pleasant (as far as prisons go) than other facilities we have visited--both local jails and state prisons. I like to say it is because of the location. Anybody who has a view of the glorious Adirondack High Peaks on a regular basis cannot possibly have their panties in a wad. Our typical route takes us through Plattsburgh, as we go north on I-87 (the Northway). Green Mountains of VT seen across Lake Champlain from Plattsburgh, NY From there, ...