thedrifter
02-04-08, 08:22 PM
Judge reduces damages in funeral protest case
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 17:08:39 EST
BALTIMORE — A federal judge in Baltimore has upheld the October jury verdict in the lawsuit brought against a fundamentalist church group for its anti-gay protest at the 2006 Maryland funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq.
However, the judge has reduced by more than half the total amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff, the Marine’s father.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett means the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church and three of its members must pay total compensatory and punitive damages of $5 million for emotional distress and invasion of privacy. The original jury award was $10.9 million.
The appeal by Westboro to overturn the verdict is still pending.
Westboro members believe U.S. deaths in Iraq are punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Monday Feb 4, 2008 17:08:39 EST
BALTIMORE — A federal judge in Baltimore has upheld the October jury verdict in the lawsuit brought against a fundamentalist church group for its anti-gay protest at the 2006 Maryland funeral of a Marine killed in Iraq.
However, the judge has reduced by more than half the total amount of damages awarded to the plaintiff, the Marine’s father.
The decision by U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett means the Kansas-based Westboro Baptist Church and three of its members must pay total compensatory and punitive damages of $5 million for emotional distress and invasion of privacy. The original jury award was $10.9 million.
The appeal by Westboro to overturn the verdict is still pending.
Westboro members believe U.S. deaths in Iraq are punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.
Ellie