October 23, 2007

Opening Statements Begin in Trial of Church That Pickets Military Funerals

10/23/2007 3:20 PM ET
(Photo: AP)

BALTIMORE (AP)- A member of a fundamentalist church that pickets the funerals of fallen soldiers said Tuesday that her group is trying to call attention to what it sees as the nation's fall into moral decay.

But an attorney for Albert Snyder, the father of a Marine who was killed in Iraq, said the group's presence at the 20-year-old's funeral will forever disrupt the family's grieving process.

For the rest of Albert Snyder's life, he will not only think of his son's death but also the protesters at the funeral, said attorney Sean Simmons, adding that he will present testimony from a psychologist who will describe the importance of funerals to the grieving process.

For the rest of Albert Snyder's life, he will not only think of his son's death but also the protesters at the funeral, said attorney Sean Simmons, adding that he will present testimony from a psychologist who will describe the importance of funerals to the grieving process.

Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., is suing the Westboro Baptist Church, of Topeka, Kan., whose members picketed the funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder in March 2006. Snyder accuses the church and its members of invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress and is seeking unspecified damages from the Rev. Fred Phelps and his church. U.S. District Judge Richard Bennett dismissed a defamation of character charge during pretrial motions.

The church believes military deaths in Iraq are God's punishment for America's tolerance of homosexuality. Two members of the church and their attorney presented opening statements Tuesday.

"We believe there is a God, there is a hell and it is our duty to preach about that," said congregation member Shirley Phelps-Roper. She told the jury that the church believes the nation has digressed into a sinful nation, not unlike Sodom. Her sister, Rebecca Phelps-Davis, said the demonstration was far enough away from the funeral ceremony that it did not disturb those attending.

The suit is believed to be the first filed by the family of a fallen serviceman, but the church's demonstrations at military funerals across the country has inspired several state laws and a federal law about funeral protests

NOTE: It is high time that these low life people felt the extent of the law. No one with a bone of decency would do what they do. I witnessed one of their protests in Seaford Delaware and believe me they will not come back to this area again. I say to Albert Snyder - DelMarVa Survival Training is behind you in this project - Good Luck. Go for it! Below you can view the results of their visit to Seaford Delaware on May 21, 2006.

Video footage in Windows Media Video Format (2.3 MB)

Video footage in Windows Media Video Format - slow motion(1.4 MB)