Attorneys Get $44-Thousand For 10 Commandments Case

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Posted: 8:35 AM Nov 29, 2008
Last Updated: 8:35 AM Nov 29, 2008

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LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - Two attorneys have been awarded more than $44,000 in fees after winning a battle over the public display of the Ten Commandments at a Kentucky courthouse.

U.S. District Judge Joseph H. McKinley said attorneys David Friedman and William E. Sharp, both of whom argued the case for the American Civil Liberties Union, should split $44,208 after winning a permanent injunction keeping the text out of the courthouse.

"Because there are no special circumstances which would render an award of attorneys fees unjust, the plaintiffs are entitled to an award of attorney fees...," McKinley wrote.

McKinley on Wednesday also awarded the attorneys court costs of $3,252.

Friedman and Sharp represented two citizens, Raymond Harper and Ed Meredith, who sued in 2001 claiming the intent of displaying the commandments in a public building was religious and violated the Constitution. In March, McKinley granted a permanent injunction barring the display of the Ten Commandments as part of a "Foundations of American Law and Government" display.

No public money was used to set up the display in the county courthouse in Leitchfield, about 75 miles southwest of Louisville.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:57 PM
That shall not kill, one of the ten commandments that the judge will send you to jail for but won't display them. Doen't make sense. If you don't believe in them how can you say that killing someone is wrong. See my problem with this.

Posted by: PJ Location: Pikeville, Ky. on Dec 2, 2008 at 05:47 PM
David Friedman and William E. Sharp---------It will be interesting to see how many people remember these two when looking for an honest attorney.

Posted by: Les Location: Ashland on Dec 2, 2008 at 12:51 PM
This old baptist preacher agrees with this decision ,religion should be in your heart not with signs and posters or stickers on your car let your religion be personal amen

Posted by: WOW-rednex Location: lex on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:51 AM
blessed be the cheesemakers - for they make good cheese!

Posted by: Jennifer Location: Morehead on Dec 2, 2008 at 09:50 AM
Looks like most of the viewers have gotten it correct (pro-God). May God forgive these people for the evil that resides in their hearts. Taking God out of our country is going to bring a wrath of issues that will make people who do not acknowledge God wish they knew Him intimately! The Bible says we are to fear Him. These men are showing no fear. Justice will prevail. God have mercy.

Posted by: Freda Location: Lexington on Dec 2, 2008 at 06:43 AM
The Lawyers should be ashamed to show their face.May GOD forgive you for your stupidity!

Posted by: cordis Location: hazard,ky. on Dec 1, 2008 at 11:15 PM
GOD WILL HAVE A TRIAL ON THE ACLU LAWYERS AND ALL WHO PROTEST THE TEN COMMANDMENTS.I AM FAR FROM PERFECT BUT I HAVE BETTER SENSE TO NOT DO AS THE ACLU LAWYERS AND PROTEST GOD.

Posted by: jay Location: LETCHER on Dec 1, 2008 at 08:38 PM
they could not accept the ten commandments IN THE COURT ROOM but they accepted 44000 IN GOD WE TRUST IN THIER POCKETS

Posted by: kymom Location: lexington on Dec 1, 2008 at 07:38 PM
This country was founded on GOD! That's why it's on our money and our Pledge of Allegiance! If you don't like what our country is based on, then get the heck out! It's the same with everything else people are trying to change around here. Our language is the English language! If you wanna speak something else, then go somewhere else! Don't try to change what's been working perfectly fine for years now! Why do we let the monority take control of everything? Stand up against these idiots and they'll eventually shut up!

Posted by: michelle on Nov 30, 2008 at 11:59 PM
hahaha! this country wasn't founded on "freedom of religion"! YOU GET with the program and read some U.S. history. The Declaration of Ind. and the Constitution were written around around the same time frame that we won our indep. in 1776. Uhm, our nation U.S.A was founded 1605 (120 years before that time)! Now tell me something, doesn't being "founded" seem more DISTANT(far apart...120 years or sooo) from when the "freedom of religion" was incorporated into the Constitution?! Oh, and IF our nation were to be REALLY based on FREEDOM of any religion, then why the heck do we have "In God We Trust" on our currency? THIS NATION WAS FOUNDED ON OUR CHRISTIAN GOD and FOLLOWING JESUS CHRIST! if you want more PROOF (anyone) check out old documents written by previous presidents and leaders...that will tell you. Society always lies. Find the truth yourselves! Always! It's NICE to be EDUCATED! But some out there should wonder, are you really educated by certain PEOPLE!?! LOL Later... ahhh life!

Posted by: A Location: L on Nov 30, 2008 at 10:39 PM
Posted by: Sad Location: America on Nov 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM "Its a sad day in America when we cant even acknowledge the reasons America was formed in the first place. Lets welcome more terriosts into our nation to demolish us." The US was formed so rich men wouldnt have to pay a distant king "infair taxes". SO Im sure your sad that we are taxed for everything and drugs are only illegal because they are taxed and they dont issue usase stamps anymore right? After all the constitution says nothing about the bible. Also most "god" literature like in the pledge wasnt added till after the 1900's.

Posted by: Mark Location: Danville on Nov 30, 2008 at 03:54 PM
How about we make it a crime punishable by death to disrespect The Pope or to say anything bad about the Catholic Church. That includes pedophile priest jokes? Don't like that idea? Then maybe we should keep religion out of the courthouse. Let's make it a crime punishable by death if you don't have your baby baptized? Oh you think that they must make the choice on their own when they are old enough? BLASPHEMY! Off to the gallows! See in countries in some time periods, life was like that. By keeping religion out of the law, we make it safe for everyone to practice religion however they wish.

Posted by: Joe Kerr Location: Lexington on Nov 30, 2008 at 02:34 PM
Took the "Christmas" out of Christmas???? Why don't you ask the family of that poor man that got trampled to death by "holiday" shoppers about what Christmas means. That was just the one this year. Seems like it happens every year. Pregnant women trampled to death by a mob of Christmas shoppers! Christmas is an abomination in the eyes of the Almighty and HE despises it!

Posted by: cole Location: Lexington on Nov 30, 2008 at 11:50 AM
Everybody send the ACLU a Christmas card. I hear that they like receiving them.

Posted by: cole Location: Lexington on Nov 30, 2008 at 11:46 AM
Obviously Raymond Harper and Ed Meredith are not God fearing men. To me, if you do not like the way that religon is practiced in America then leave.

Posted by: Pam Location: Flemingsburg on Nov 30, 2008 at 10:17 AM
So they got money....looks to me like they sold their soul. If I was them I would be donating that money to somewhere worthy so fast my head would swim. I would want none of these men to represent me in any type of claim. At least our money still says "In God We Trust" and I still do. God help these men. And the Judge that went in their favor. There will be an end of days!

Posted by: Tina Location: Ky on Nov 30, 2008 at 08:27 AM
One ? If you get hurt or a family member is dying what is the first thing you do? Call upon God...people open your eyes you cant push God out of your lives and only hollar at him when in need...Just a thought....May God Bless You All...

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 30, 2008 at 05:43 AM
The point is that there should be no government endorsement of any religion. Some people just don't get it. What if a Koran were displayed. Would all of you be so supportive? Freedom of religion is what the country was founded on. Get with the program.

Posted by: communist country on Nov 30, 2008 at 01:24 AM
keep pushing the bear in the corner he is going to come out swinging all that needs to be said.

Posted by: christine Location: georgetown on Nov 30, 2008 at 01:17 AM
I wouldn't want any part of that $$. All they did was sell their souls so to speak for a few $$. Wow how sad. I'm glad that I'm not them.

Posted by: Linda Location: Irvine on Nov 30, 2008 at 12:46 AM
NO MATTER WHAT U SAY OR DO GOD WILL ALWAYS HAVE THE LAST WORD ABOUT EVERYTHING. I WOULD REALLY HATE TO BE IN SOME PEOPLES SHOES.

Posted by: michelle Location: prestonsburg on Nov 30, 2008 at 12:23 AM
This IS sad. I'm disappointed in my state, in these people that did this: both attornies and the representees. This is extremely sad and upsetting. Yes, things are pretty bad. And what is that about "not being part of the U.S. foundation"...hello! The U.S. was founded with God on the right hand side of the pilgrims! In SEARCH OF "not religious freedom", but "by way of worshiping God as WE saw fit"...there's a difference. Big difference! Things are chaging, and the worst part is that these changes will be incorporated as NORMAL into the every day lives of people, and they won't protest. Sometimes, protesting is the right thing to do, because many, OUR GOVERNMENT especially, is making it seems as if doing the "wrong" thing is the norm and acceptable. It's not boys and girls. Let's have some common sense. Taking the 10 Commandments out is crazy, and God said (and i paraphrase here), that a nation "without me" cannot surivive. Let's face it, each nation forgot God. I love GOD! He's the way

Posted by: Barb Location: London Ky on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:56 PM
Well I wouldn't want to be in their shoes for their socks! Shame on them. This could go on and on... What about the Christians..they too have a rights. The Bible speaks of this..we are in perilis times we should be praying for God to forgive us instead of sueing because someone had the ten commandments hanging up..Guess what ?? It doesn't change a thing. Then 10 commandments still stands and it still means something today even though it has been removed from the wall!!

Posted by: A Location: L on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:39 PM
TO all "christians" that hate this country. Italy and the Vatican are still accepting visa's if you want to live in a christian state. They even take tax dollars from citizens for the church as there is no seperation of church and state. Baptists and any other non catholics need not apply.

Posted by: roger Location: mt sterling on Nov 29, 2008 at 09:21 PM
what about the rights for people that belive in the ten commandments

Posted by: Joe Kerr Location: Lexington on Nov 29, 2008 at 07:06 PM
So I guess all of you would be just find with a statue of the Hindu god Hunaman in the courthouse? How about a large pentagram and the tenets of Wicca? You *cannot* favor one religion over another so that is why you keep religion out of the courthouse and the courthouse out of the church!

Posted by: Mary Location: Morehead on Nov 29, 2008 at 07:00 PM
If these people had done their research they would know that the separation of church and state came to be to keep politics out of the church not out of our government.

Posted by: Sad Location: America on Nov 29, 2008 at 06:37 PM
Its a sad day in America when we cant even acknowledge the reasons America was formed in the first place. Lets welcome more terriosts into our nation to demolish us.

Posted by: Former Kentuckian on Nov 29, 2008 at 05:28 PM
Maybe if people who are so offended by any mention of God had to pay out of their pocketbooks, we would have less cases like this. I totaly agree with Elizabeth.

Posted by: Amanda Location: JOHNSON COUNTY on Nov 29, 2008 at 03:14 PM
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS ARE FROM GOD ! WHY IS IT SUCH A PROBLEM TO HAVE THEM DISPLAYED! GOD IS THE ONLY ONE THAT WILL NOT LEAVE U ! HES REALLY ALL U HAVE ! IF YOU DENY GOD HE WILL DENY YOU!

Posted by: BLACKSHEEP Location: EVERYWHERE on Nov 29, 2008 at 03:11 PM
I FIND THIS SICKENING, MY BELIEVE IS THAT THESE CITIZEN OF THE (DAVID FRIEDMAN, WILLIAM SHARP, RAYMOND, ED MEREDITH, AND JOSEPH McKINLEY) WHATEVER COUNTRY, SHOULD BE SHIPPED OUT OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY (ALONG WITH THE A.C.L.U.). THESE ARE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT HAS TAKEN "CHRISTMAS" OUT OF CHRISTMAS. I DONT WANT A HOLIDAY TREE, HOLIDAY LIGHTS, OR SOMEONE SAYING "HAPPY HOLIDAYS". IT'S "MERRY CHRISTMAS", "SAY IT LOUD AND SAY IT PROUD".

Posted by: Anonymous on Nov 29, 2008 at 12:22 PM
WWWEEEE DDDOOOOGGGGIES

Posted by: Diane Location: Mt.Sterling on Nov 29, 2008 at 11:07 AM
That amount of money will never cover the cost of the right stripped from society to acknowledge God! This person has lost more civilly than he gained materially. Unfortunately it is our loss as well.

Posted by: Sha Location: Pikeville on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Haha I find this hilarious. People are all for causing more and more trouble, like making a big deal out of something they don't even have to read. There are plenty of signs, billboards and several other things in my home town, there is a statue in front of my towns courthouse and I couldn't even tell you what it reads...But these people just enjoy making more trouble for christians, though its probably not a christian perspective, I enjoy the fact that these people had to pay out of their own pocket, and hope they don't have the money to put food on their families table...If more of this happened, maybe these losers would stop whining about everything to do with God...

Posted by: Brian Location: Ashland on Nov 29, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Well, lets just let Harper and Meredith pay the fees since they were so "offended"...

Posted by: Stuart on Nov 29, 2008 at 09:04 AM
So now we actually PAY money to attorneys to keep GOD'S WORD out of the courthouse (the ROMAN EMPIRE has nothing on this HEATHEN NATION).

Posted by: Elizabeth on Nov 29, 2008 at 08:50 AM
So let me get this straight...their salvation is now worth a little over 48,000 dollars. I guess thats a small price to pay if you want a one way ticket to that warm spot in the after life.

Posted by: jes Location: ky on Nov 29, 2008 at 08:42 AM
we are living in a bad time when you can't even display the ten comandments.

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