Jury awards father $11M in funeral case By ALEX DOMINGUEZ, Associated Press Writer
1 hour, 4 minutes ago
BALTIMORE - 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.
ADVERTISEMENT
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.
2007-10-31 12:29:15 · 13 answers · asked by satcomgrunt 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
It is terrible that his son was killed, and the money will not bring him back. However, it is great news that these people and groups of people who travel to funerals for fallen heros displaying a tremendously ridiculous display of disrespect are being held accountable for their actions. I hope there is more to follow.
2007-10-31 14:42:52 · answer #1 · answered by erehwon 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
OUTSTANDING. I have absolute zero sympathy for those vultures. Common sense and common decency should tell you that celebrating the death of a soldier/Marine killed in combat at all--let alone in plain sight of the family AT THE FUNERAL--is both tasteless and unforgivable. There are limits to the rights of Free Speech, and it seems this country is hell-bent on finding new and spectacular ways to abuse it in the name of garnering shameless attention. It's disgusting and I truly hope those people have learned a cold, hard lesson for their heartlessness.
EDIT: Bekki, Snyder was the boy's father, the one suing Westboro Church. I think you meant to say "Phelps", the church's pastor.
2007-10-31 12:37:14 · answer #2 · answered by ಠ__ಠ 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
That's kinda terrible that the congregation is so classless/clueless and truly Godless. I mean, not many of us agree with the war, but leave the grieving families alone for cryin' out loud!
I feel bad for the Dad because, as in the case with wrongful death suits, even though he won millions, it's bitter sweet because he still doesn't have his son.
2007-10-31 12:38:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like very good news to me, I have seen these people at military funerals up here and think it shows a lack of regard for the families of our soldiers.
2007-10-31 12:34:22 · answer #4 · answered by smsmith500 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Excellent news! These folks that come to funerals and interject their politics into what is probably the worst thing a grieving relative can go through deserve to pay for their misdeeds.
2007-10-31 12:41:56 · answer #5 · answered by Michael M 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I'm cool with it.
Religions have a right to practice their religions, even if they're just hate groups, but they do not have a right to scare, harass and inflict their mental derangement on others, especially upon the fine families of the brave men and women who have sacrificed to protect those very rights...
2007-10-31 12:42:20 · answer #6 · answered by Boomer Wisdom 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
In a strange way, this family does more to support homosexuality than anyone realizes. They are making those who oppose and hate homosexuality look absolutely demonic.
Anyway, yes, it's delightful.
2007-10-31 12:40:53 · answer #7 · answered by Buying is Voting 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
best news ever.Guess this clown Phelps is not the great lawyer he thought he was. That whole family will have their own special place in hell when the time comes............
2007-10-31 13:11:15 · answer #8 · answered by tallerfella 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
God bless the USA....
these "pretenders"...got just what they deserve! i hope they go bankrupt trying to pay it! and that scab snyder is never heard from again....
2007-10-31 12:35:54 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Even better news than hearing that Hillary stepped in it pretty good last night.....
2007-10-31 12:36:21 · answer #10 · answered by frederick t 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋