thedrifter
07-11-07, 11:08 AM
Arraignment delayed in flag-stepping case
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 8:59:51 EDT
PAPILLION, Neb. — The arraignment for a member of a Kansas group that has drawn criticism for protesting at soldiers’ funerals was delayed Tuesday until August, the county attorney said.
Attorneys for Shirley Phelps-Roper, 49, of Topeka, Kan., were successful in their motion to have her arraignment delayed until Aug. 13, Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said.
The arraignment originally was scheduled for Wednesday.
Phelps-Roper was charged with negligent child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, flag mutilation and disturbing the peace.
Phelps-Roper acknowledged that she allowed her 10-year-old son, Jonah, to stand on the flag. She said the act qualifies as freedom of expression, and she promised to challenge the constitutionality of the flag mutilation charge. She noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down laws forbidding flag desecration.
Nebraska's flag law defines flag mutilation as when a "person intentionally casts contempt or ridicule upon a flag by mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon such flag."
Phelps-Roper is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka and the daughter of the church’s founder, the Rev. Fred Phelps.
The June 5 funeral in Bellevue was for Nebraska Army National Guard Spc. William “Bill” Bailey, who was killed May 25 when an explosive device struck his vehicle in Iraq.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Jul 11, 2007 8:59:51 EDT
PAPILLION, Neb. — The arraignment for a member of a Kansas group that has drawn criticism for protesting at soldiers’ funerals was delayed Tuesday until August, the county attorney said.
Attorneys for Shirley Phelps-Roper, 49, of Topeka, Kan., were successful in their motion to have her arraignment delayed until Aug. 13, Sarpy County Attorney Lee Polikov said.
The arraignment originally was scheduled for Wednesday.
Phelps-Roper was charged with negligent child abuse, contributing to the delinquency of a minor, flag mutilation and disturbing the peace.
Phelps-Roper acknowledged that she allowed her 10-year-old son, Jonah, to stand on the flag. She said the act qualifies as freedom of expression, and she promised to challenge the constitutionality of the flag mutilation charge. She noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has struck down laws forbidding flag desecration.
Nebraska's flag law defines flag mutilation as when a "person intentionally casts contempt or ridicule upon a flag by mutilating, defacing, defiling, burning, or trampling upon such flag."
Phelps-Roper is a member of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka and the daughter of the church’s founder, the Rev. Fred Phelps.
The June 5 funeral in Bellevue was for Nebraska Army National Guard Spc. William “Bill” Bailey, who was killed May 25 when an explosive device struck his vehicle in Iraq.
Ellie