Westboro case could play role in Michigan lawsuit

HARRISON, Mich. (AP) -- A lawyer says his lawsuit challenging Michigan's funeral-protest law likely will get a boost from a decision by the U.S. Supreme Court. The court ruled last week the First Amendment protects certain speech outside funerals. In Michigan, Lewis and Jean Lowden were arrested in Clare County in 2007 after being invited to a funeral for a soldier who was a family friend. The Lowdens weren't protesting in Harrison, but a sheriff's deputy noticed signs in their van windows criticizing President George W. Bush. The Lowdens have a lawsuit pending in federal court against Clare County. Their attorney Dan Korobkin says laws to stifle "unpopular speech end up backfiring." County attorney Jason Kolkema declines to comment on the impact of the Supreme Court decision. The next court hearing is May 5. Published: Tue, Mar 8, 2011