The criminal case against Word of Faith Fellowship leader Brooke Covington is set to be retried in Buncombe County, more than nine years after her first jury trial ended without a verdict. Covington faces charges of second-degree kidnapping and simple assault stemming from an incident prosecutors say occurred more than a decade ago.
Background and prior trial
Covington was first tried in 2017 on allegations that she and others held down and beat a former member, Matthew Fenner, during what church members described as a “blasting” session intended to expel supposed demons. That trial ended in a mistrial after jurors were found to have used outside research during deliberations, a development that prevented a verdict and left the case unresolved.
Covington has consistently maintained her innocence. Since the mistrial, a series of events — including the COVID-19 pandemic, personnel changes among prosecutors and defense attorneys, and disciplinary actions involving one of the earlier prosecutors — have delayed the case for years. Court records show the matter is now scheduled to go before a jury in Buncombe County starting Monday.
Allegations from the accuser
According to court filings and statements from the accuser, Fenner joined Word of Faith as a teenager in 2010 along with his mother. He says the alleged assault took place while he was at a service on the church compound in Spindle, N.C. Fenner has described a prolonged episode in which he was restrained, choked and beaten while other members prayed, a practice the church referred to as a “blasting” session.
“Members held him down and choked and beat him for two hours while others prayed to expel ‘homosexual demons,’”
That account forms the core of the prosecution’s case. The charges accuse Covington of holding down and beating Fenner more than 13 years ago.
Why the retrial took nearly a decade
A host of factors contributed to the long delay before the retrial was set. The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted court calendars nationwide. Additionally, changes in personnel — including the removal of the original prosecutor and the suspension of the law license of an attorney connected to the earlier proceedings — required the case to be reassigned and reheard under new legal teams. There have also been reported retirements and deaths among lawyers on both sides, further complicating continuity.
As a result, the case moved jurisdictions and prosecutors before landing in Buncombe County, where court records now list the trial date. Both the new prosecutor and Covington’s current attorney did not respond to messages seeking comment on the trial.
Local community and broader questions
Word of Faith Fellowship is a nondenominational Protestant church founded in 1979. The group has drawn varying levels of scrutiny over the years from former members and observers who have raised concerns about its practices. The upcoming trial will put alleged conduct within that community under public and legal scrutiny once again.
For residents and observers, the proceeding raises practical questions about witness availability after such a long delay, the preservation of evidence, and the challenges jurors will face in weighing testimony about events that occurred more than a decade earlier.
Timeline at a glance
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2010 | Matthew Fenner joins Word of Faith with his mother |
| c. 2013 | Alleged “blasting” session and assault occur (as cited by prosecutors) |
| 2017 | First trial of Brooke Covington ends in mistrial |
| 2020–2022 | Delays including the COVID-19 pandemic and prosecutor changes |
| 2026 | Ret r ial set to begin in Buncombe County |
What to expect at trial
- Jurors will hear testimony from the alleged victim, former or current church members, and any corroborating witnesses available.
- Defense and prosecution will contest credibility and the interpretation of events that occurred more than a decade ago.
- Court observers will be watching closely for how the new prosecutor frames the case after the long delay and prior mistrial.
The court date marks a significant chapter in a case that has wound through North Carolina’s legal system for years. With the retrial now scheduled, the community and those connected to Word of Faith Fellowship will receive a judicial determination on the allegations that have shadowed the church and its leaders for more than a decade.
Further coverage will follow as the trial proceeds and court documents and testimony become available.
