News Phelps family loses in court

Lzen · 05-21-2008, 09:31 AM

http://www.cjonline.com/stories/0521...l#mdw-comments

In another case, sides argue tax status of truck

By Mike Hall
The Capital-Journal
Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Whether the picket signs carried by members of Westboro Baptist Church carry religious or political messages is at issue on whether the church has to pay tax on the pickup truck used to carry the signs.
But the decision may be irrelevant if the church's appeal of a federal court decision in Maryland fails.

In fact, a decision Monday in the Maryland case removed a legal obstacle to beginning collections on the property. This past October, a federal district court in Maryland found Pastor Fred W. Phelps Sr., Shirley L. Phelps-Roper, Rebekah A. Phelps-Davis and Westboro Baptist Church had invaded the privacy of and inflicted intentional emotional distress on the family of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by church members.
A jury awarded Albert Snyder, father of the Marine, compensatory damage of $2.9 million and punitive damage of $8 million. But on Feb. 4, U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett reduced the punitive damage to $2.1 million, for a total judgment of $5 million.
The church and the Phelpses filed a petition seeking a stay on the collection on that penalty. They also filed an appeal of the verdict.
If the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Maryland upholds the lower court decision, property owned by the three named Phelps family members and the church itself would be confiscated.
The appeals court there issued an order Monday denying the church's request for a stay in the execution of the lower court's ruling. No date has been set for the hearing on the appeal itself.
Sean Summers, a York, Pa., attorney representing Snyder, said rejection of the stay allows the court to proceed to collection of the church's property even though the ruling has been appealed.
The issue of the property tax on the pickup truck was heard Tuesday in Topeka before the Kansas Court of Appeals. Margie Phelps, an attorney and member of the church, argued that all of the church's messages are representations of what the church considers to be its religious purpose.
But Shawn Leisinger, assistant Shawnee County counselor, noted that Kansas law requires that a property must be used exclusively for religious purposes to be exempt from taxation. He noted the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals ruled the truck was subject to taxation because of evidence presented that there was at least some political content in the messages.
He said that of 602 picket signs cited in the BOTA case, 250 named public figures, many of them political figures.
Westboro Baptist Church is known for picketing and using other means to protest against acceptance of homosexuality. The strongly worded picket signs and other activities used during the pickets anger a number of people.
And that was used by Margie Phelps as part of her argument that the signs aren't political.
"If any member of this church were to endorse a political candidate — which they never do — it would be the kiss of death," she said.
Mike Hall can be reached at (785) 295-1209 or mike.hall@cjonline.com.

MIAdragon · 05-21-2008, 09:32 AM

Karma's a 3itch

**chasedude** · 05-21-2008, 09:40 AM

Duck Dog · 05-21-2008, 09:53 AM

Quote:

And that was used by Margie Phelps as part of her argument that the signs aren't political.
"If any member of this church were to endorse a political candidate — which they never do — it would be the kiss of death," she said.

That's the least of you worries, Bitch. The first one of you assholes to step inside the penal system is meat.

**Gonzo** · 05-21-2008, 10:04 AM

I know one thing, if a loved one of mine died serving their country and this sonbitch showed at the funeral, I would be the one serving time.

blueballs · 05-21-2008, 10:11 AM

I put the bastards on iggy

kaplin42 · 05-21-2008, 10:14 AM

Can the courts actually sieze the property that the church is on? If so, that is turning a frown, upside down right there.

beach tribe · 05-21-2008, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gonzo

I know one thing, if a loved one of mine died serving their country and this sonbitch showed at the funeral, I would be the one serving time.

My best frind died in Iraq. These assholes were there. They had police on the scene to keep the peace. My friends and I walked right up, and spit coke, and saliva all over them. The cops busted out laughing, so I decided to get in my truck, and spin gravel, and dust all over them.

The only smiles on a horrible day.

GREAT guy. He was so cool, that I was estatic(sp) that he was engaged to my sister.

James "Dusty" Carroll RIP

**frazod** · 05-21-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

My best frind died in Iraq. These assholes were there. They had police on the scene to keep the peace. My friends and I walked right up, and spit coke, and saliva all over them. The cops busted out laughing, so I decided to get in my truck, and spin gravel, and dust all over them.

The only smiles on a horrible day.

GREAT guy. He was so cool, that I was estatic(sp) that he was engaged to my sister.

James "Dusty Carroll RIP

I think you are the first person here (at least that I've noticed) that's actually had a personal experience with these vermin during a funeral. I applaud what you did. That's great. Hopefully one or two of them had eyes put out by your flying gravel.

**RNR** · 05-21-2008, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

My best frind died in Iraq. These assholes were there. They had police on the scene to keep the peace. My friends and I walked right up, and spit coke, and saliva all over them. The cops busted out laughing, so I decided to get in my truck, and spin gravel, and dust all over them.

The only smiles on a horrible day.

GREAT guy. He was so cool, that I was estatic(sp) that he was engaged to my sister.

James "Dusty Carroll RIP

Sorry for your loss, it makes my heart hurt every time we lose a troop. I have no idea what I would do if I faced these people but I am certain I would end up in handcuffs.

kc rush · 05-21-2008, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beach tribe

My best frind died in Iraq. These assholes were there. They had police on the scene to keep the peace. My friends and I walked right up, and spit coke, and saliva all over them. The cops busted out laughing, so I decided to get in my truck, and spin gravel, and dust all over them.

The only smiles on a horrible day.

GREAT guy. He was so cool, that I was estatic(sp) that he was engaged to my sister.

James "Dusty Carroll RIP

Sorry for your loss, and I admire your restraint. Taking $5 mil from these bastards isn't enough.

codeman · 05-21-2008, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RedNeckRaider

Sorry for your loss, it makes my heart hurt every time we lose a troop. I have no idea what I would do if I faced these people but I am certain I would end up in handcuffs.

Maybe not if you read the post above.

I still can't find anyting in the NKJ Bible that agrees with what they are doing. I keep looking and don't find anything that could even be misinterpreted to justify what they do.

Deberg_1990 · 05-21-2008, 10:53 AM

How big is their church? Anyone know?

I cant imagine many sharing thier core beliefs outside of family members? Kind of sad really. Im sure many of those are brainwashed zombies from birth on this sort of nonsense.

I wish the press would stop giving these idiots run. They are only getting what they want.

Uncle_Ted · 05-21-2008, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

How big is their church? Anyone know?

I cant imagine many sharing thier core beliefs outside of family members? Kind of sad really. Im sure many of those are brainwashed zombies from birth on this sort of nonsense.

I wish the press would stop giving these idiots run. They are only getting what they want.

I think it pretty much just is the extended family ... maybe like 20 members.

While it is "news", were it not for the internet this would merit only a few inches of column near the back of the local news section of the paper.

Coach · 05-21-2008, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaplin42

Can the courts actually sieze the property that the church is on? If so, that is turning a frown, upside down right there.

They can if the family fails to pay for the damages.

05-21-2008, 09:31 AM
Lzen Kicking it old school Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Topeka Casino cash: $22882	Phelps family loses in court http://www.cjonline.com/stories/0521...l#mdw-comments In another case, sides argue tax status of truck By Mike Hall The Capital-Journal Published Wednesday, May 21, 2008 Whether the picket signs carried by members of Westboro Baptist Church carry religious or political messages is at issue on whether the church has to pay tax on the pickup truck used to carry the signs. But the decision may be irrelevant if the church's appeal of a federal court decision in Maryland fails. In fact, a decision Monday in the Maryland case removed a legal obstacle to beginning collections on the property. This past October, a federal district court in Maryland found Pastor Fred W. Phelps Sr., Shirley L. Phelps-Roper, Rebekah A. Phelps-Davis and Westboro Baptist Church had invaded the privacy of and inflicted intentional emotional distress on the family of a Marine whose funeral was picketed by church members. A jury awarded Albert Snyder, father of the Marine, compensatory damage of $2.9 million and punitive damage of $8 million. But on Feb. 4, U.S. District Court Judge Richard D. Bennett reduced the punitive damage to $2.1 million, for a total judgment of $5 million. The church and the Phelpses filed a petition seeking a stay on the collection on that penalty. They also filed an appeal of the verdict. If the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Maryland upholds the lower court decision, property owned by the three named Phelps family members and the church itself would be confiscated. The appeals court there issued an order Monday denying the church's request for a stay in the execution of the lower court's ruling. No date has been set for the hearing on the appeal itself. Sean Summers, a York, Pa., attorney representing Snyder, said rejection of the stay allows the court to proceed to collection of the church's property even though the ruling has been appealed. The issue of the property tax on the pickup truck was heard Tuesday in Topeka before the Kansas Court of Appeals. Margie Phelps, an attorney and member of the church, argued that all of the church's messages are representations of what the church considers to be its religious purpose. But Shawn Leisinger, assistant Shawnee County counselor, noted that Kansas law requires that a property must be used exclusively for religious purposes to be exempt from taxation. He noted the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals ruled the truck was subject to taxation because of evidence presented that there was at least some political content in the messages. He said that of 602 picket signs cited in the BOTA case, 250 named public figures, many of them political figures. Westboro Baptist Church is known for picketing and using other means to protest against acceptance of homosexuality. The strongly worded picket signs and other activities used during the pickets anger a number of people. And that was used by Margie Phelps as part of her argument that the signs aren't political. "If any member of this church were to endorse a political candidate — which they never do — it would be the kiss of death," she said. Mike Hall can be reached at (785) 295-1209 or mike.hall@cjonline.com.
Posts: 28,575

05-21-2008, 09:32 AM	#2
MIAdragon Someone pass the antifreeze Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Miami (North Cuba) Casino cash: $64608	Karma's a 3itch __________________
Posts: 11,851

05-21-2008, 09:40 AM	#3
chasedude Supporter Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: St. Joe Casino cash: $2563758
Posts: 36,261

05-21-2008, 10:04 AM	#5
Gonzo The Turtle Can't Help Us. Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: F'ing Huskerville Casino cash: $108270681	I know one thing, if a loved one of mine died serving their country and this sonbitch showed at the funeral, I would be the one serving time. __________________
Posts: 16,531

05-21-2008, 10:11 AM	#6
blueballs Banned Join Date: Feb 2006 Casino cash: $8431	I put the bastards on iggy
Posts: 14,233

05-21-2008, 10:14 AM	#7
kaplin42 Thats Right, Sniff the Glue!!! Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: tubbytronic superdome Casino cash: $312858	Can the courts actually sieze the property that the church is on? If so, that is turning a frown, upside down right there.
Posts: 3,255

05-21-2008, 10:53 AM	#13
Deberg_1990 MVP Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $140879	How big is their church? Anyone know? I cant imagine many sharing thier core beliefs outside of family members? Kind of sad really. Im sure many of those are brainwashed zombies from birth on this sort of nonsense. I wish the press would stop giving these idiots run. They are only getting what they want. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
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