Last Resort Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 BALTIMORE (AP) -- A federal jury on Wednesday awarded the father of a fallen Marine $2.9 million in compensatory damages after finding a fundamentalist Kansas church and three of its leaders liable for invasion of privacy and intent to inflict emotional distress for picketing the Marine's funeral in 2006. The jury was to begin deliberating the size of punitive damages after receiving further instructions, although U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett noted the size of the compensatory award "far exceeds the net worth of the defendents," according to financial statements filed with the court. Albert Snyder of York, Pa., sued the Westboro Baptist Church for unspecified monetary damages after members staged a demonstration at the March 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq. 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. Snyder's suit named the church, its founder the Rev. Fred Phelps and his two daughters Shirley Phelps-Roper and Rebecca Phelps-Davis, 46. The jury began deliberating Tuesday after two days of testimony. The York, Pa. man 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 the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality. Their attorneys argued in closing statements 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. The judge said the church's financial statements that had been unsealed could be released to the plaintiffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKelly Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Go Maryland,we did something right. And that should be the end of that church and him too. This is a good day. I'm glad I was there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldev Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Sweet. Hopefully he'll be able to collect on the judgment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
porkchop Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoom Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Go Maryland,we did something right. And that should be the end of that church and him too. This is a good day. I'm glad I was there. I had faith that the jury would do the right thing. Even fellow Marylands who I know are opposed to the war were totally disgusted by these SOB's. This should be the end of their cruel,disrespectful and non-Christian manner of protest. I am surprised no one has popped a cap in their ass at any of the funerals. Where is a good drive by shooter when you need one ??? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Charlie Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Why would this stop them now? What else do they have to loose? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldev Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 They'd be out of bus money. The judge said the damages outweighed the church's worth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falcon Posted October 31, 2007 Share Posted October 31, 2007 Unfortunately, the Marine's family will likely never see a dime of payment, and it'll be tied up in appeals forever. Rarely do judgements that large end up that way after all the appeals. It might not stop them, but hopefully the financial drain of appeal will slow them down some. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clan Chief Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 It may not stop them, and the father may never collect, but I bet they dont go to any funerals in Maryland again !!!! Way to go nieghbors !!! Bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hburns Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 This makes me grin ear to ear! The best part is that they haven't even decided on the punitive damages yet! These pieces of human detritus need as much trouble as they can get. I actually ran guard on a funeral that these POS's showed up to. It was all I could do to keep from beating these ass clowns. --Hal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoom Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 Unfortunately, the Marine's family will likely never see a dime of payment, and it'll be tied up in appeals forever. Rarely do judgements that large end up that way after all the appeals. It might not stop them, but hopefully the financial drain of appeal will slow them down some. I doubt the family cares about the money. Maybe they can find some peace in knowing that other families may not have to go through this. "Maryland has spoken you fanatical hypocritic self rightous bastard sons of a bitches ..." They can find peace in knowing that others felt as strongly as they did and rendered a great big GUILTY verdict. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zoom Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 It may not stop them, and the father may never collect, but I bet they dont go to any funerals in Maryland again !!!! Way to go nieghbors !!! Bob I would like to travel to visit each juror just to shake their hands and thank them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paolabob Posted November 1, 2007 Share Posted November 1, 2007 When I heard this I felt soooo good for the family. I ain't no lawyer but I think any family that has ever been affected by these assholes ought to line up and keep em busy. Good on ya Maryland! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SlvrStrk Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 It's about time. Too bad it took this long! And every funeral that they have protested at, those families should sue their butts . And now they are going to the Carolina's to protest the deaths of those college students - what a--holes! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarEagle Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 HOOAH! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CKelly Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 With the punitive damages it's up to 11 million. That should hurt. Now the father can go after what they own. The church will also go if it's in his name. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airwolf Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Anything at all to throw a monkey wrench at those ass clowns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
indian al Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 With the punitive damages it's up to 11 million. That should hurt. Now the father can go after what they own. The church will also go if it's in his name. If that is so and the father gets the church he should level it and make a memorial in his sons name for all the fallen soldiers from iraq. Al Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hunters Friend Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 If that is so and the father gets the church he should level it and make a memorial in his sons name for all the fallen soldiers from iraq. Al Brilliant idea! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maldev Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Agreed. That would be brilliant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aikenscout Posted November 2, 2007 Share Posted November 2, 2007 Trust me, I hope we never see them again and they rot in hell, but I can't help but think about our buddy OJ. Civil judgement didn't cripple his lifestyle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hasbin Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 Trust me, I hope we never see them again and they rot in hell, but I can't help but think about our buddy OJ. Civil judgement didn't cripple his lifestyle Maybe so, But some 6'10" "lifer" will change his lifestyle ina big way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickasaw Indian Outlaw Posted November 3, 2007 Share Posted November 3, 2007 OUTSTANDING RESULT It was about time, I have rode with the Patriot Riders to a couple funurals where these fools were protesting and here is a little of what I have seen. The chant very disrespectful things at veterans and service members (my self a MARINE off of active duty). 80 to 90% of them were children under 18 years of age that were doing the chanting as directed by a few adualts. They also had large signes that depicted one service member bent over as another f++ked him from behind, what a sign for a child to be holding! Both towns where the 2 service members were from are very small home town America type places. We all believe in GOD, COUNTRY and THE AMARICAN WAY, this was tough and we had to ensure that we kept each other from going over after them. The local Sherriffs Department had us stage in another area before going over to the church and the also informed us of what these fools wanted from us. The protesters support themselves by pissing us off bad enough that we would confront them and it would elevate to the point where we touched one of the protester's then take legal action against us. When we rode over to the churchs it was a real show of force and I was very proud of how all the riders handled themselves. At one of the funerals 4 or 5 dump trucks showed up, some full of cow dung and parked themselves where the protesters could not even see the church form where they were. After the protesters left and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol along with the local Sherriffs department started to depart we all (hundreds) turned to them and applauded and thanked them for what they do as well. We serve our country to preserve all American's rights, but know this those of us who serve have earned the rights and payed the dues for those who for what ever reason do not serve. For those who have not served but support those of us who have I thank you. For those who have not served and want to bitch and protest publicly about this great nation and our service members realize this, WITHOUT MY FATHER, MYSELF AND ALL OTHERS LIKE ME WHO HAVE SERVED you would have no rights. Guess what you owe us, that must suck because we are your keepers. God gave you life and freedom Service Members sustain both life and freedom for you at a very high price. Sorry that this was so long but these people really get under my skin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Medicine Girl Posted November 6, 2007 Share Posted November 6, 2007 YES! YES! YES! I really needed some kind of good news, and this fit the bill PERFECTLY!!!! YES! WAHOO!!!!! MG Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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