text_combined: richard fortune hbgdratupzltrlgmailcom cheers john posting blog httpnewsbbccouk2hiamericas7072404stm huge fine antigay us church image members extreme antigay westboro baptist church picket funeral lance cpl matthew snyder march 2006 churchs pickets military funerals outraged americans church whose members cheered soldiers death punishment us tolerance homosexuality told pay 109m 52m damages westboro baptist church taken court father lance cpl matthew snyder marine died serving iraq march 2006 church cited constitutional right free speech defence albert snyders lawyer urged jury ensure damages high enough stop church campaigning members church based topeka kansas denounced homosexuality years initially targeting funerals aids victims later extended pickets funerals soldiers say punished god americas tolerance homosexuality bring circus hate maryland craig trebilcock attorney albert snyder louis theroux hated family us last year caused outrage attended funeral matthew snyder signs reading thank god dead soldiers youre going hell wednesday jury ordered church three leaders pay 29m compensatory damages additional 8m invasion privacy causing emotional distress albert snyders attorney craig trebilcock urged jurors agree amount says dont maryland bring circus hate maryland defence attorney jonathan katzs argument 29m compensatory damages already far exceeded defendants net worth would enough bankrupt financially destroy ignored church unaffiliated major denomination headed fred phelps 70odd members belong extended family appeal albert snyder sobbed heard verdict hope enough deter families money getting stop said according reuters news agency members church however reportedly greeted verdict tightlipped smiles take 4th circuit appeals minutes reverse silly thing said rev phelps daughter shirley phelpsroper codefendant along another daughter rebecca phelpsdavis called verdict blow free speech vowed continue picketing military funerals im rocky road heading mountain slope steps echo echo louder thu 07 aug 2008 200505 0000 ierant thanks bringing attention