After losing a First Amendment case to the Westboro Baptist Church in federal court, the father of a Marine must pay $16,000 in legal fees to the church. -db
March 30, 2010
(CN) – The father of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by the Westboro Baptist Church must pay the protesters $16,000 in legal fees after the family sued in 2006 for invasion of privacy, the 4th Circuit ruled.
The Snyders sued, alleging privacy invasion, intentional infliction of emotional distress and other torts.
A jury gave the family $2.9 million in compensatory damages plus $8 million in punitive damages. The $8 million was later reduced to $5 million.
Phelps appealed in 2008, and the 4th Circuit reversed, agreeing with the church that its First Amendment rights were trampled.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, has agreed to hear the case, and will consider reinstating the judgment.
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