Suit against funeral protesters goes to jury

[struggle4progress]

Source: Associated Press

By ALEX DOMINGUE

BALTIMORE - ...

Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., is seeking unspecified monetary damages for invasion of privacy and intent to inflect emotional distress during the March 2006 burial of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, in Westminster.

Members of Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., have picketed at funerals nationwide carrying signs that read "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 protests at military funerals at federal cemeteries, but the Maryland suit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman.

Church members say they are following their religious beliefs by spreading the message that the deaths of soldiers are due to the nation's tolerance of homosexuality and they are protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech and religion.

In an emotional summation that brought Snyder to tears at times, plaintiffs attorney Sean Summers asked jurors to use their common sense, saying his client has to live forever with the memory of protesters carrying signs reading "Semper Fi fags," and "Pope in hell" at the funeral ...

http://www.kansas.com/news/updates/story/214330.html

Read more: http://www.kansas.com/news/updates/story/214330.html

[northernsoul]

1. I was wondering when someone was going to sue those bastards

And no, the 1st Amendment doesn't give you the right to engage in tortious conduct, Fred.

[NYVet]

2. So, when Fred loses...

I am opening the pool on how long it takes him to start calling the legal system a lapdog of sin and makes comments that everyone involved is going to burn in hell.


I pick 4 minutes, 17 seconds after the verdict is read.

[JeanGrey]

3. These people ARE NOT CHRISTIANS. I am sick of people like

them claiming to be and I hope they get nailed to the wall. What they did to this man is horrible.

[mark414]

4. good for him. if these savages can't understand reason or sanity,

maybe they will think twice when their bank account starts to shrink.

i hope more follow in Snyder's footsteps.

[billyoc]

5. Christian Falangist Fatwa to immediately follow verdict.

Dangerously unstable criminals, every last one.