$10.9 million judgment against funeral demonstrators
Barley Snyder attorney Sean Summers has won a $10.9 million judgment in Snyder v. Phelps, et al (06-cv-01389) in the U.S. District Court of Maryland. The jury award of $2.9 million for compensatory damages and $8 million for punitive damages was returned following an eight day trial before the Honorable Richard D. Bennett. Summers led the Barley Snyder team in representing Albert Snyder in his suit against the Westboro Baptist Church, founded by Rev. Fred W. Phelps Sr. The case arose out of a demonstration by members of the church at the March 2006 funeral of Snyder's son, Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder.
For news coverage of the verdict see the links below:
- New York Times (11/2/2007) "To Marine’s Father, Suit Is More Than Money"
- Washington Post (11/1/2007) "$11 Million Awarded in Funeral Protest Suit"
- York Daily Record (11/1/2007) "Jury awards father $11M" and (11/2/2007) "This win's for Matthew"
- Sydney Morning Herald (11/2/2007) "Anti-gay church fined over funeral picket"
- Today Show (11/1/2007) with video Link "My son did not fight for freedom of hate speech"
