Judge slashes damages in anti-gay case
A federal judge substantially reduced the amount of damages a Kansas-based anti-gay group and three of its leading members must pay for their protest at a Marine’s funeral in Westminster.
In a 52-page decision, U.S. District Judge Richard D. Bennett affirmed the jury’s verdict in favor of the father of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder. Albert Snyder successfully sued the church for emotional distress and invasion of his family’s privacy after Westboro Baptist Church members waved signs decrying homosexuality at his son’s funeral in March 2006.
But the judge also more than halved the $10.9-million award announced in October to $5 million, noting constitutional concerns of appropriateness.
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