JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A federal judge says two Missouri laws limiting protests at funerals are unconstitutional. Fred Phelps and the Westboro Baptist Church, Topeka, who routinely pickets the funerals of military service personnel, challenged the laws. Phelps’ group said deaths in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are America’s punishment for tolerating homosexuality and they picket the funerals of Americans killed in the wars. Missouri legislators passed two laws in hopes that at least one would survive a constitutional challenge. The main law banned protests near any funeral, procession or memorial service from an hour before until an hour after the service. The secondary law ordered protesters to stay at least 300 feet away from a funeral. U.S. District Judge Fernando Gaitan voided both laws Monday.
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1 p.m.
