Ryan Newell, the wounded war vet accused of stalking Fred Phelps' gay-hating, soldier-funeral-picketing Westboro Baptist Church, has pleaded guilty to a pair of misdemeanor charges.
The Wichita Eagle, citing Newell's attorney, reported that Newell pleaded guilty to lesser charges of false impersonation of an officer. Newell, 26, was facing charges of stalking, criminal use of weapons and conspiracy to commit aggravated battery. He received two six-month sentences, but will actually go on two years of probation. This for following around members of the Westboro Baptist Church with a vehicle packed with weapons.
Newell, who lost both legs to an improvised explosive
device in Afghanistan in 2008, was arrested on November 30 in Sedgwick County after detectives found him in his vehicle outside Wichita City Hall with the following weapons: an M4 rifle, a .45-caliber Glock
handgun and a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun. He also had more than 90 rounds of ammo. Prior to Newell's arrest, the war vet had asked the Mulvane
public-safety director about the police presence at the protest and
claimed he was an ATF agent.
Sounds like the Westboro Baptist Church is pleased with the outcome (via the Eagle):
Westboro spokeswoman Margie Phelps said this afternoon: "We appreciate the work the District Attorney's Office did, and we're pleased with the outcome, and we hope Mr. Newell gets the help he needs. ... We're supposed to be merciful."
Newell had been receiving care at a VA hospital. I'm really surprised this doesn't happen more often. But really, it's a good thing it doesn't.
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This Westboro Baptist Church says they hate the Gay-Community.
But, they also hate African Americans, Dr. & Mrs. King, Canada, Sweden, the
Fire Department of N.Y., victims of 911, other Christian churches, the pope,
Judaism, America, our American troops and the list goes on and on. Many of the
groups they despise are specifically named on their hate propaganda, picket
signs and their many websites. They not only hate, but wish death on all whom
they abhor.
This so-called “church” spreads its hate through picketing in
our streets, provoking attacks, with abusive language and flag desecration,
attempting to create a confrontation. This is not about protesting, this is
about a life of hate. They are in it for the money and the press. They
are not a "church." They go after any thing that can get them in the
news. This group will protest anything to get its face on TV or in the news.
This group is lost in the darkness of hate, and will put there children in
danger to shield themselves.
These people protest at the funerals of our troops. Do we have a
real need to protest at any funeral? Is that a real freedom?
The city of Topeka, the state of Kansas and the U.S. at large,
its citizens and their churches, schools and events are all held hostage by
this "hate group."-always at the tax payer's expense.
Let's see.."..vehicle packed with weapons." Which are listed as: an M4 rifle, a .45-caliber Glock handgun and a .38-caliber Smith and Wesson handgun with more than 90 rounds of ammo. Must of been a teeny-tiny car as those weapons don't take up that much room. Hardly, "packed" is the point here. It helps to be marginally accurate when reporting. P.S. The Phelps' are douche bags. Hidding behind religion just shows how chicken shit they are.
When I was sworn into the Marines (a long time ago, etc.) ,the oath I gave was to protect this country from "all enemies, foreign and domestic".
Although I have (long since) been honorably discharged from service I still hold myself to that promise, and do everything I can to protect my home, my family, my neighbors, my land.
And while I would still (gladly) lay down my life to protect the rights that we have established in this nation over the last two hundred years, I have to admit, it gets tougher to maintain that course.
For it means that I must repect (and defend) the rights of not only those who share my beliefs, but of those who oppose as well.
It means that I must respect (and defend) all Americans, as well as those who would become Americans and share in the wealth that is not only our history, but our destiny.
It means that I must respect the rights for incredibly strong willed yet narrow minded people who believe that a God with so much love for His Creation could allow hate and prejudice to direct their worship.
It also means that as a RESPONSIBLE AMERICAN CITIZEN I must even defend their right to voice their feelings, no matter how vile or misguided I believe them to be.
I reckon our forefathers knew what a job it would be to build and maintain these United States, and realized that the task cannot be done by only one but all.
nos sto unus una - we stand alone together.
I also reckon this is why W-O-R-K is a four-letter word.
So lets all get a flash mob to the Westboro Baptist Church and PROTEST their protestation.
Nice and quiet, with pretty rainbow signs, and children , big hairy bikers, VETERANS , gays and lesbians.
My sign would read WE, THE PEOPLE...
Happy Monday
I lived in Topeka for 30 years. And there is nothing that can be done to stop them. This man is my new hero! If I lost my legs protecting human garbage like that, I would be bitter too.
This man is a hero, and it is discusting that the community where this church is located does not come together and stalk the church members. Make them miserable as they do others.
The WBC only holds signs. If you are all mentally unbalanced and are offended by that too bad.
Either there is a God or there isn't. He has standards or he doesn't. If we disobey him we suffer the consequences or we don't. Go read the Bible at Deut: 27:15- Chapt 28 The blessings and maledictions.
This kook with the guns had his body destroyed for defending the USA in wars the USA shouldn't be in. Apparently he got what he deserved. Of course now he takes it out on the WBC when he should be enraged at his country. The USA will get more of the pain and suffering of these wars by more suicides, DU, ( Depleted Uranium sicknesses ), horrible injuries and disfigurement and last of all mental illness. WHY because maybe the WBC is right on this one.
Joe
CCFIILE.com
Good Luck Ryan, I wish something could be done to break up that hateful, worship the devil, good for nothing, trashie,(as they seam to think), "Westboro, (AAA), Church!
Why do media constantly report on WBC and give them a free stand? Isn't
that one of the reasons why they continue on? If no one cared about what
they did or did not, they would have been gone away a long time ago!
But
no, freedom of hate-speech needs to be celebrated in the form of
sympathy to the victims. Are we supposed to expect any other type of
results?!
Actually, Kansas recognizes that these assbags have a constitutional right to free speech. Shame that you would attempt to smear an entire state based on this small group of hateful losers.
lol@ Matthew Hart. I'll pitch in for the cyanide. This church is only beginning to feel the pains of the pain they have caused others. This dude isn't showing any more hate then Westboro. And yes, I purposely didn't put "Baptist" beside their name. John would be rolling in his grave if he knew these people were associated with him at all.
Kansas tolerates the WBC because in their heart of hearts they agree with their methods and beliefs. Any decent town or state would look the other way when people took things into their own hands to rid their communities of scum like Fred Phelps.
Westboro spokeswoman Margie Phelps said this afternoon: "... We're supposed to be merciful."
Bunch of Fucking Hypocrites if you ask me.
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