Phelps Clan Ordered To Pay $11M In Anti-Gay Military Suit
by The Associated Press

Posted: October 31, 2007 - 5:00 pm ET

(Baltimore, Maryland) A grieving father won a nearly $11 million verdict Wednesday against a fundamentalist Kansas church that pickets military funerals out of a belief that the war in Iraq is a punishment for the nation's tolerance of homosexuality.

Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified damages after members demonstrated at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.

The jury first awarded $2.9 million in compensatory damages. It returned in the afternoon with its decision to award $6 million in punitive damages for invasion of privacy and $2 million for causing emotional distress.

Snyder's attorney, Craig Trebilcock, had urged jurors to determine an amount "that says don't do this in Maryland again. Do not bring your circus of hate to Maryland again."

Church members routinely picket funerals of military personnel killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, carrying signs such as "Thank God for dead soldiers" and "God hates fags."

A number of states have passed laws regarding funeral protests, and Congress has passed a law prohibiting such protests at federal cemeteries. But the Maryland lawsuit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

The church and three of its leaders - the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters, Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46 - were found liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress.

Even the size of the award for compensating damages "far exceeds the net worth of the defendants," according to financial statements filed with the court, U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted.

Snyder claimed the protests intruded upon what should have been a private ceremony and sullied his memory of the event.

The church members testified they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that soldiers are dying because the nation is too tolerant of homosexuality.

Their attorneys maintained in closing arguments Tuesday that the burial was a public event and that even abhorrent points of view are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

Earlier, church members staged a demonstration outside the federal courthouse. Church founder Fred Phelps held a sign reading "God is your enemy," while Shirley Phelps-Roper stood on an American flag and carried a sign that read "God hates fag enablers." Members of the group sang "God Hates America" to the tune of "God Bless America."

Snyder sobbed when he heard the verdict, while members of the church greeted the news with tightlipped smiles.

Well, it's about time. I'm just surprised it took this long for someone to sue them in the first place. I just hope that this particular group takes it to heart that their actions will not be tolerated.

Of course, now they'll probally appeal the ruling so we'll have another year of their circus show to contend with.

If they appeal - and they already can't pay the judgement against them - what lawyer is going to take on such a difficult case for no money?

Oh, I'm sure some lawyer will be willing to take the case...If for no other reason then to get their own share of the pie when the appeal is denied.

of course, quite a few of the Ropers are lawyers (including Shirley) - maybe she'll defend herself and her father (who was disbarred years ago).

but if they lose, there IS no piece of the pie

Well, you know what they say about those that act as their own lawyers...They have fools for clients.

I agree--it's about effing time someone puts a stop to this. For me the moral of this is that YES--we DO have the right to free speech, no matter how repugnant. The Constitution does NOT guarantee us the unlimited right to choose a location to express those views.

As an aside--A friend of mine is a member of the "Patriot Guard" Which is an organization that will, upon request from the family only, show up at these funerals and shield the family from the harrassment. I am very proud of that friend.

_CL_

Wanna buy a vowel?...

__________________
"You get the respect that you give" - cnredd

This judgment, of course, is a good thing.

But, it still needles me that for a decade these people have protested, shouted obscenities and vile things at the parents of the deceased, and destroyed funerals of gay people. Nobody cared. It made the news, and a few people 'tsk-tsked' - but it was a non-issue.

Now that they have targeted servicemen for the past 18months or so, states are enacting legislation to make their actions illegal and they're getting sued.

So, though it's a good thing, it's a little late for me to be completely happy about it. It didn't happen nearly soon enough.

I agree--I would have liked to seen them put in their place a very long time ago. I'm just glad they have been now.

I don't know of any one who has experessed a positive opinion of this group. In fact everybody I know--whether they be conservative or liberal (except MAYBE one guy--but that's a completely different story with closet and maturity issues) has been completely apalled by this group's insensitive and inexcuseable actions.

The incense in people has been there all along. The demonstrated outrage has been quite lacking. It's very unfortunate, but it seems that sometimes America is a very jaded nation these days--especially after these last 7 years of the asswipe-in-chief. I am NOT making excuses--just observing and reflecting.

I agree--the "God hates fags" thing has been going on a long time. To be honest I knew they were doing it and it made me furious and it shaped my voting habits, but I didn't realize they were desecrating funerals until it came to light with the veterans.

That is very unfortunate. Everyone who has been abused and harassed by these morons know there probably isn't any real redress that can take that undeserved & completely unnecessary added pain away.

But I am glad to see this precedent set. Neighboring states will pay attention as far as I know. Selling a house taught me that once.