Fred Phelps
The father of a U.S. Marine killed in Iraq has been ordered to pay $16,510 to a family that protested his son’s funeral in Maryland.
Albert Snyder sued members of the Westboro Baptist Church because they waved signs saying “God hates the USA,” “Matt is in Hell” and others bearing anti-gay slurs at the 2006 funeral of his son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder, who was killed in Iraq.
A federal jury in Baltimore awarded Snyder $11 million in damages in 2007, saying the group from Topeka, Kan., intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the family. The award was reduced to $5 million and was eventually overturned after an appeal by church group leader Fred Phelps.
Now, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ordered Snyder to pay $16,510.80 to Phelps to cover the cost of their appeals.
The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to hear arguments on the case.
Snyder told the Baltimore Sun he’s received about 3,000 e-mails from people who planned to contribute to the payment. The American Legion is also asking people to donate, and has collected over $5,000 in under 18 hours.
Phelps and his children have been called the “most hated family in America” because they picket funerals with signs reading “God Hates Fags” and “Thank God for dead soldiers,” among others.
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Filed under: Kansas, Maryland, National Headlines
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Not cool.
^agrees
what the fuck no lie WHAT THE FUCK
^agrees again
WHAT THE FUCK?!?!?!?!!?
I don't understand why the dad has to pay money to the family that protested his son's funeral! That's so freaking dumb!
absolutely dispicable…almost like killing a person twice for the family in grief. 'Father Forgive them for…'
Bill O'Reilly on FOX News even said he would personally pay the $16,510 court judgement because he was absolutely outraged also.
well thats how stupid the law is, if u lose the case, u have to pay the court fees
It's so stupid. The family was mourning for their loss and stupid WBC had to ruin it for everyone. Can't they see that no one actually cares except for themselves?!
Why the FUCK would he lose that case anyway?? That's blatant disrespect. I understand freedom of speech, but shit…
Wow…Words can not describe how pissed I am…
^agreed
^^I completely agree^^This is unbelievable.
I agree words can not describe how fucking pissed I am about this….. that is so unfair!
Step 1… Lets get this CULT LEADERS tax exempt status revoked…His lawyer (also his daughter) was just bragging on CNN about how this money was going to fund MORE PROTESTS!!
@Mongoni: Actually, the judges have discretion as to whether or not loser has to pay the court costs and fees (other than attorney's fees). Usually, it is only done when the underlying lawsuit is frivolous, but in this case, the father won big time in the first court that heard it, so it was very unusual the appeals court would order him to pay anything even though they overturned the first verdict.That's why this instance is especially unbelievable.
Now, those lunatics at the "church" can use the $16,510 to go do this to more families. This is beyond outrageous! What a miscarriage of justice!
But that's one of the ways this family has made its money—-they do acts outrageous enough to be sued for, and they always win on freedom-of-speech grounds. Other than incorrectly yelling Fire! in a crowded theater, free speech rights in the U.S. are pretty much absolute–not like in some countries (Canada for one) where hate speech isn't allowed.
Maybe that is why Phelps hosts the web site http://www.godhatescanada.com
bullshit! make the church pay!
Wow that is sick!
Freedom of speech my ass! This country keeps trying to promate anti-gay!
okay im confused. who is albert? and is he paying the protesters or…whats going on?
I just do not understand this! But, it sickens me that Bill O'Reilly, of all people, offered to pay the father's legal bills.
but this was over turned on the appeal side so how much did the phsycos pay the judge too get it over turned
That poor father! Not only lost his son, he now has to pay those jack ass lawyers who actually defend these "holy" jerkoffs. That church should pay him and his family the original 10million plus interest AND make a formal written apology in the nations biggest papers!
Wow! i am speechless!
This cult does not hire outside lawyers. The daughter of Fred Phelps is a lawyer and all the "legal fees" go directly to her. She has already gloated that this money will fund more trips to protest more funerals of dead soldiers. Flaming bags of dogshit have more class than this family of cultists.
unconscionable, yet somehow believable.
Hmmm, hopefully something is done to Westboro this time, the shit they do on a regular basis is just extremely outrageous.
someone definitely needs to take these WBC pricks out. Seriously.
Wait… what does this mean? “A federal jury in Baltimore awarded Snyder $11 million in damages in 2007, saying the group from Topeka, Kan., intentionally inflicted emotional distress on the family. The award was reduced to $5 million and was eventually overturned after an appeal by church group leader Fred Phelps.”
does this mean the Snyder won $11 million? or does that mean that snyder has to PAY $11 million TO Fred Phelps?
This makes me sick. The father should not have to pay anything. I am not for homosexuality, but if his son was gay, whatever. However, the father should NOT have to pay the people who were picketing at HIS SONS FUNERAL.
Where is the rest of the story though? This is not the whole thing. I will go look for it. :D
Those people who did this, the Phelps family, are NOT Christians. I am a Christian and I would NEVER EVER say, “Thank God for dead soldiers”. My HUSBAND is a soldier. I thank God every day for bringing them home safe and sound. I thank Him for the soldiers who are here to protect us from whatever might come.
i love how, in the end of the day. jesus spreads the most hate. seriously. why do they need jesus to show hate? you’ll never see one with a poster that sas “i hate you” its always. “god hates you” im glad they speak for god.
I just don’t get it… Why is Phelps and his pathetic little band of Bible-banging Baptist bigots still alive? Why hasn’t somebody put a few well-placed bullets into the area within their crania? I’m not suggesting anybody do this. I myself, as a pacifist, of course, would never consider doing this. I’m just wondering why NOBODY has done it. Wouldn’t be that hard, would it?
This is sick and disgusting. I am a straight christian and i support gays! What is so hard about that? The fact that this so called "christian family" did this is beyond words. Their an embarrassment to the Lord and entire religion! I hope the father doesn't have to pay them a dime.