Westminster (Map, News) - A pastor and his controversial anti-gay church have hired a prominent First Amendment attorney from Maryland to defend them against a defamation lawsuit a father of a Westminster Marine filed against the church for demonstrating at his son’s funeral.

The Rev. Fred Phelps and his Westboro Baptist Church hired Jonathan Katz, a Silver Spring lawyer, to respond to Albert Snyder, of York, Pa., who sued the Topeka, Kan., church in June after they demonstrated at the Westminster funeral of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder and posted pictures of the protest on their Web site.

“Defamation lawsuits are totally incompatible with the First Amendment,” Katz told The Examiner on Monday.

“I represent people from the far left and far right and everyone in between.”

Westboro Baptist Church members said they believe God is punishing Americans for their tolerance of homosexuals by killing U.S. troops in Iraq, according to the organization’s Web site.

“One might expect some lawyers would refuse to take Defendants’ case, to avoid associating with a client that allegedly publicly proclaims hatred of homosexuals,” a motion Katz filed in U.S. District Court reads. “Undersigned counsel fully welcomes fighting for Defendants in this litigation. ...”

Katz, along with former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, represented Plowshare peace activists who were charged with breaking through a fence at a Maryland Air National Guard Base in Essex in December 1999 and damaging two A-10 “Warthog” jet assault planes to protest the use of depleted uranium, according to his Web site.

Katz said he also has represented members of the adult entertainment industry and demonstrators who protested against the International Monetary Fund.

Sean Summers, one of the lawyers representing Snyder, said this is the first lawsuit against the church stemming from a military funeral.

Summers said he is glad the church has hired an attorney so the case can move forward.

kvolkmann@baltimoreexaminer.com

Comments from Examiner Readers

2:02 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"

Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have an update on the ongoing suit of Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Does anyone here know of someone that currently lives there? Has Ross Ridge made any changes or renovations to their apartments? Thank you in advance for your response.

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2:00 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"

Examiner Reader said:
Does anyone have any update on Ross Ridge Apartments being sued by tenants? Thank you.

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12:18 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"

Examiner Reader said:
I currently live in Morgan Properties Towson Crossing Apartments. I have been complaining about the mice infestation for over 2 years now. I was told the infestation was because of the renovations. They even put in there newsletter ways to control the infestation by using peppermint oil. This was something I told them I was trying. The exterminator they sent even said there are alot of holes around the baseboard of the floors that needs repairs. With our cheap renovation which consisted of spray painting the bathroom tub and shower, we also got new carpet in the halls, new number signs outside the apt building but no concern, help or remedy to the infestation.

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6:59 PM MST on Fri., Sep. 21, 2007 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"

Examiner Reader said:
whats the status of this case... I live in the apartments now and am having the same problems

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9:55 AM MST on Tue., Jul. 10, 2007 re: "White Marsh apartment tenants sue management company"

Examiner Reader said:
Towson Crossings Apartments Tenants (Morgan Properties) are experiencing the same horrific living conditions! This morning one of the tenants posted a message in reference to the tenants moving out and the rodents moving in. Ignored work requests, filthy surroundings, trash and filth;I have encountered mice, waterbugs, roaches, crickets, spiders, in less than a month in my newly renovated $880+ top floor, 2-bedroom apartment. I'm so tired of tip toeing through my apartment out of fear of seeing/stepping on something. Its nerve wrecking for someone who maintains cleanliness, work hard to have to find peace outside of "what's considered home". Terrified Unhappy Tenant of Towson Crossings

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