Felony charge for vet accused of targeting Westboro

[proud2BlibKansan]

WICHITA, Kan. | Segdwick County prosecutors have added a new felony charge against a 26-year-old wounded veteran accused of targeting members of a Topeka church known for protesting at soldiers' funerals.

Ryan Newell of Marion was charged Thursday with five misdemeanor counts for allegedly following members of the Westboro Baptist Church after a protest in Mulvane on Tuesday.

On Friday, prosecutors added the felony of conspiracy to commit aggravated battery, accusing Newell of engaging in a conspiracy in which firearms were obtained and put in his vehicle and taken to a place where church members gathered.

Newell's lawyer, Boyd McPherson, said he's working to get Newell out of jail. He's held on $500,000 bond.

Church members protest at soldiers' funerals, saying they feel U.S. soldiers' deaths are God's punishment for American immorality.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/12/03/2495840/felony-charge-for-vet-accused.html#ixzz179yJgNNL

[ck4829]

1. More 'liberal' media whitewashing, "American immorality"? the Phelps klan's #1 target is TEH GAY

[antigone382]

2. I hope he can get out of the worst of the charges through PTSD or something

I hate this all around. We can't let somebody who actively plans to hurt others just go free, but I see him as much more of a victim than the Westboro asses. They've been practically begging for something like this for years.

I know very little about the case, but if he's like the rest, he probably needs much more mental health support than he's probably getting.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. It's such a sad story