Posted on 06/23/2011 11:00:06 AM PDT by Responsibility2nd
WICHITA An Army veteran charged with stalking and conspiring to harm members of a controversial Topeka church pleaded guilty to lesser charges this morning, his attorney said.
Ryan Newell pleaded guilty in Sedgwick County District Court to two counts of false impersonation of an officer each "non-person" misdemeanors. He is receiving a six-month sentence on each count but is being released on a two- year probation, said his attorney, Boyd McPherson.
"We had been working on a resolution for... six months," McPherson said. "I think both the District Attorney's Office and I wanted to feel comfortable that the case was at a point where it could be disposed of."
Newell, who lost both legs in Afghanistan, had been charged with felony conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and these misdemeanors: stalking, unlawful use of a weapon and false impersonation.
On Nov. 30, Sedgwick County sheriff's detectives arrested Newell after his vehicle was found backed into a parking place outside Wichita City Hall while five Westboro Baptist Church members met inside with police officials about security concerns at the church's protests. He had a high-powered rifle, two handguns and more than 90 rounds of ammunition, sources have said.
McPherson said today that Newell did have firearms in his vehicle but that there wasn't proof he intended to use them unlawfully.
The Topeka church has been widely condemned because of its protests at soldiers' funerals across the nation. Westboro contends that soldiers are dying because God is punishing the nation for its immorality.
Kim Parker, chief deputy district attorney, said: "Our goals are, as usual, to protect the community, to ensure that we have some sort of rehabilitative effort ... to make sure we don't have this type of activity going on again.
"And in working with the defendant and his attorney on this matter, Mr. Newell has been able to access a number programs that otherwise were not available to him."
Newell had been released from jail with the stipulation that he report to the VA Hospital for treatment, authorities have said.
Newell came to court this morning in a wheelchair and wearing a T-shirt with an Army insignia, McPherson said.
His client was in "very good spirits," McPherson said.
1. Bar the doors from the outside.
2. Tinder.
3. Match.
And that’s how you use a smokehouse. What? What did you think I was talking about?
They harrass people and make tghreats it is called Freedom of Speech. He does it and it is called stalking.
This church may have the right to do what they are doing under the constitiution but sooner or later something bad is going to happen.
***Westboro contends that soldiers are dying because God is punishing the nation for its immorality.***
I sure don’t get the connection.
Smoking the cockroaches out of a dwelling, of course.
Wow, really? I suppose that might work. Or they could just stay in there and die.....or come out any other openings they can find and get stomped upon as they run.
Leave them one exit and cover that exit with a suppressed .22LR. Gotta be a good shot, because cockroaches on fire move QUICK!
Hopefully sooner.
If a man is going to go Postal, it would be nice to see this filth as the intended target rather than innocent bystanders. This man is a patriot IMO. He should get a fine for this which I would be happy to donate to pay.
I don’t wish a happy end for any of these inbred cult members but I don’t want to see a Veteran who lost so much go to prison for doing us all a favor.
The worst part is that Westboro makes it’s money by winning lawsuits. This guy will be sued in civil court. They will use that money to protest more funerals.
Here we go. Round and round.
I like what one town did when they appeared for a funeral. Blocked in all their vehicles and when the police were called, told them all the available police were out on other calls.
Best way to peacefully protest the idiots. But I agree that something will eventually be done by some very meaningful people.
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