Joseph Irwin, one of several people convicted in the 2015 beating death of Lucas Leonard at the Word of Life Christian Church in Chadwicks, Oneida County, has been released from prison, according to Department of Corrections records.
Irwin was sentenced in December of 2016 to serve 8 years in prison for 1st Degree Gang Assault and 2nd Degree Assault.
According to the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, he was released on parole on Monday. The conditions of his parole are not known.
Lucas Leonard, 19, was beaten to death in October of 2015 during what authorities described as hours of pummeling by his parents, sister and other congregants during a spiritual "counseling session" prompted by Lucas' desire to leave the church. His brother Christopher, 17, was also beaten and sustained serious injuries.