Phelps Calls Fire "Hate Crime"

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Posted: 10:30 AM Aug 4, 2008
Last Updated: 10:36 AM Aug 4, 2008

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Phelps-letter

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The pastor of the Westboro Baptist Church has asked Attorney general Mike Mukasey to treat the fire at their home over the weekend as a "hate crime."

Pastor Fred Phelps sent the Attorney General's office a letter Sunday claiming "[t]here is evidence that hatred of our religion was the motivation, in part at least."

The letter calls upon the Department of Justice, as well as the other law enforcement agencies who received copies of the letter, to involve themselves in the investigation and treat it as a violation of Federal Civil Rights and Hate Crime legislation. State Attorney General Stephen Six and Shawnee Co. District Attorney Robert Hecht were also listed as recipients.

In the letter, Phelps asserts the fire began as two elderly people slept inside the church; and, though Phelps credits the rapid response of the Topeka Fire Dept., he states that preliminary estimates range from $20,000 to $30,000 in damages.

Investigators believe the fire began when two large trash cans were set on fire as well as a garage and wooden privacy fence.

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Comments are posted from viewers like you and do not always reflect the views of this station.

Posted by: Neil Location: New York City on Jun 27, 2009 at 01:26 PM
It is truly interesting that this Jew hating turd, Fred Phelps appealed to Michael Mukasey who is an Orthodox Jew ,about the fire at his den of hatred!!!! I hope "Freddy Kruger" Phelps returns to New York City with his inbred family to get their asses kicked!!!!

Posted by: Vivienne Location: SF on Nov 25, 2008 at 04:18 AM
If any act is an act of God, the burning of the Phelps church is one. Irony levels sky high.

Posted by: Bob Location: Browning on Sep 1, 2008 at 12:26 AM
I am all the way from Orange County Ca. I ended up here by doing a furious Google search of these evil, wreckless and dangerous people. I would not only be ashamed to live in the same zip code, I would vomit to be a reporter in thier same home town having to report the news on them. They make your town look tragic, backwoods and redneck. Someone probably took the intiative to clean the city up. Take A STAND FOR YOURSELVES PEOPLE. Picket them. Spray them with hoses. Drive them out of your town!!! If you arent outraged enough, you can at least take it to your city government. The KKK have more tact then these people.

Posted by: Titus Location: Houston on Aug 13, 2008 at 11:26 AM
Listening to Westboro and the people who oppose them, I see alot of hypocracy. Not much difference between the two really. Neither have any respect for the bill of rights, personal liberty or freedom of speech. And using arson to scare the bible thumpers is not cool either.

Posted by: BIG D Location: South Carolina on Aug 10, 2008 at 08:49 PM
Everyone is entitled to their oppinions but there comes a time for the respect of others. For example I do not agree with the war but I will not dis-respect a soldier for doing his duty for his country. As for the fire the damage was less than you would expect from a crime of hate it looks more to me like a self-inflicted wound. But I will still wait for the out come of the investigation before I condem anyone for it. Hatred is bad in any form even if you hide it behind religon or personal beliefs. But I would like to close this with my philosophy of life...TO EACH HIS OWN. IF IT MAKES YOU HAPPY AND DOES NO HARM TO ANYONE ELSE. GO FOR IT.

Posted by: Gabarus Location: Canada on Aug 8, 2008 at 07:07 PM
Yeah.. I can tell you. As a gay Canadian, believe me, I feel a loathing for Phelps as much as any of you. His efforts to picket the funeral of Tim McLean (Canadian youth brutally stabbed and beheaded on a Greyhound last week) are absolutely reprehensable. And, I'd be lying if I didnt say that I felt this might be some form of vindication. However. Simple facts are, he has a right to his belief system, as much as I do mine. If someone did set fire to his home/church/garage/trash cans, whatever, for the simple reason that they don't like his views. They have are no better than Mr Phelps himself, and should be prosecuted as such. This could have lead to someone being hurt, this could have resulted in someone being killed. It didn't, but it could have. And I can think of no worse way to go than being burned alive. As much as I disagree with the politics of Westboro Baptist, and wish they would just dissapear, none should wish physical harm on them. It makes us no better than them.

Posted by: Phrip Location: Toronto on Aug 8, 2008 at 04:01 PM
I haven't read much of what Fred Phelps has to say - but to all of the posters (and im-posters) I will say this: One kind of hatred is pretty much like another. If half of what he is alleged to have said is indeed factual, it is pitiable. If half of the more stern responses are true, they too are pitiable. The best way to put out a fire is to starve it for fuel.

Posted by: Nellie Location: Topeka on Aug 7, 2008 at 06:32 AM
Ignorant, superstitious, nomadic goat herder that is tough verbiage for one professing to be against hate speech or hate filled activity. Why do people have to be so ugly? Comments like that exacerbate the situation that the people of north east Kansas have been living with since the Phelps family established the Westboro Baptist Church. They, like anyone else has the right to free speech but name-calling and disrespecting religious beliefs make others no better then the Phelps. Rise above, love the sinner not the sin.

Posted by: Will Location: Huntsville, AL on Aug 7, 2008 at 01:42 AM
I find it highly ironic that whenever somebody else is prosecuted under a hate crime statute, Mr. Phelps acts as if they an affront against his god, but when all the sudden something bad happens to him hate crime laws are suddenly just and good.

Posted by: Sean Location: Elkmont, AL on Aug 6, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Fred Phelps and his clan are nothing but a bunch of religious nutters and 'moderate' Christians lend his ilk cover by legitimizing a book of fairy tales written by a bunch of ignorant, superstitious, nomadic goat herders thousands of years ago.

Posted by: Sean Location: Canada on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:05 AM
Personally, I think it was a 'revenge crime' and that God set it. This guy has been abusing God for his own ends for years, so God should be able to get off on the grounds of intolerable provocation and/or self-defense...

Posted by: Nellie Location: Topeka on Aug 6, 2008 at 08:02 AM
It seems that what goes around comes around. Ugliness only creates more ugliness. I beleive they fire on their own to create a diversion. I am glad nobody was hurt.

Posted by: Dude Location: Manhattan on Aug 6, 2008 at 01:14 AM
Guess God wasn't on Fred's side on this one... If God really existed, and had Fred's back, he'd have brought some rain or something. Where is your god now Fred? You might not burn in hell (because there is no hell) but you can burn here. You've already been burnt on the altar of public opinion, and it looks like you might have bitten off more than you can chew. God Hates Phelps. (Seriously, I spoke to Zeus last night, I'm supposed to pass along: Shut up already and stop sleeping with your relatives! Oh yeah, and stop playing with yourself while watching your grandchildren picket dead soldiers' graves too.)

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:08 PM
BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH BLAH

Posted by: Resident Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 04:49 PM
Pam is obviously from Texas and doesnt live with what the Phelps do every day in Topeka.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 5, 2008 at 03:51 PM
Too bad it didn't burn the whole thing down.

Posted by: Logan Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 03:48 PM
Continue to bicker about him and give him the attention he so desperately craves, you have all fallen into his hands!

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 03:42 PM
Maybe if the young man hadn't seen the fire and call the Fire Dept. The whole thing would have burn down and the Ins. was enough to safe it from the MAN who the Phelps owe all that money too. It sound like they are the ones who set it and they didn't get lucky someone did the right thing.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 5, 2008 at 03:03 PM
To Pam, I don't think anyone died through this. It was a fire to trash cans, fence and garage. It wasn't a house or even the church. It is just church affiliated. And yo obviously don't know what this man and his cult are capable of. We are not told to love satan and they are a good regpresentation for what satan stands for.

Posted by: mary Location: kansas on Aug 5, 2008 at 01:38 PM
Much as I hate to say it, this man too has the right to live without being subjected to hate crimes. Laws don't only go one way. I don't like how he represents those of us who are Christians. It is God's place to judge and our place to love and represent Him.

Posted by: M Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:57 AM
Of all people I would hope Mr Phelps would know what a HATE crime is... Good grief I mean the man thinks he is GOD thinks he knows what GOD wants, stands out there with signs looking like a idiot- I wonder if GOD appriciates all the little children standing out there holding up signs of 2 men having anal intercourse?? Fred, GOD bless you and may he have mercy on you IF you make it to Heaven... I wonder what GOD do you worship? Mine loves all his children no matter what.

Posted by: Pam Location: Dallas TX on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:47 AM
Wow... not that I agree with this so called "Pastor", but two wrongs don't make a right. The comments here wishing this man died... you sound just like the Romans when the Christians were fed to the lions. I'm not condoning this so called "church". But killing or causing greater harm to the Pastor, or his parishioners will only breed more hatred. Where does it stop? Just ignore him and his ilk unless he is violating someone else's civil rights. Did those two elderly people deserve death? Excuse me the irony, but who died and elected us God? The older I get, the more I realize that escalating hatred only makes things worse.

Posted by: Bonita Location: kansas on Aug 5, 2008 at 11:41 AM
and what he does isnt consedered hate

Posted by: Todd Location: New York City on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:40 AM
If it wasn't set by someone from WBC as a false-flag to gain sympathy and a sympathetic ruling, and it was arson, I hope it was a member of one of the families of fallen warriors that the Phelps' picketed.... no jury in the country would convict them. If it was a false-flag operation for the Phelps', I hope they get the most of what's coming to them legally speaking... And then they should be forced to carry signs that say: "God Hates Liars" on the front and "I'm a Liar" on the back... oh how awesome that would be...

Posted by: Bill Marincic Location: Schenectady, N.Y. on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Hey Fred the Bible says "You will reap what you will sow" Stop complaining and thank God the fire didn't kill you, not that anyone would shed a tear.

Posted by: Peter Location: Cincinnati on Aug 5, 2008 at 10:13 AM
Of course Freddy boy, who has repeatedly called the U.S. Government doomed and corrupt, seems to have no qualms about using its legal system to track down the vandals who burned his house. Of course, since he's such a flaming hypocrite in every other aspect of his life, this should come as no surprise to anyone.

Posted by: M Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 09:57 AM
You all sound just like the Phelps...

Posted by: Mel Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 09:07 AM
LOL. I think God's Angels of Mercy need just a little more training on their marksmanship. Seems they kinda missed their target just by a wee little bit there, LOL. Kinda ironic that they were ordered to pay taxes on their truck just prior to this, go figure. Hate crime?? Do they really think the people of Topeka are stupid enough to believe that BS?? I believe this to be just another publicity stunt to get the GOOD people of our GOOD city riled up again. We are tired of hearing NOTHING from these NOTHINGS!! I say just put the lot of them in a lead bottomed boat (with a big hole in it) and set them out to sea, LOL

Posted by: Susan Location: Manhattan on Aug 5, 2008 at 08:57 AM
Oh, how sad. "Hate Crime"? What does Phelps expect? He teaches hate of everything.

Posted by: Anti-Phelps Location: Topeka on Aug 5, 2008 at 07:21 AM
Was it right for their property to be burned? No. Did they bring this on themselves? Yes. Was this a "hate-crime"...? On one hand it could be labeled a typical hate-crime (which is truly ironic), but on the other hand you could say the Phelps' themselves provoked it, thus not as much of a "hate-crime" as a "tired of you" crime.

Posted by: wanda Location: Denison on Aug 5, 2008 at 05:47 AM
I don't believe Fred Phelps when he says the fire at his home is a hate crime. I think he must be trying to collect insurance money. He is judging everyone else by his standards and is not able to comprend the fact that 99% of us don't think they way his putrid mind works

Posted by: Still Laughing Location: Topek on Aug 5, 2008 at 03:57 AM
Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha,Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Ha, Next time TFD can accidentally get a flat tire in route.

Posted by: Dan Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Fred needs to learn what a hate crime is and stop taking the bible out of context to feed his needs someone that hates gays or whatever it might be is usely that way there self and if we really want to go there Fred and is church is a cult so Fred grow up and get a life and learn real religon and what a crime really is your only mad cuase you didnt get govener and that some of your kids werent alowed to go to washburn so get a real life Fred

Posted by: John Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:29 PM
Maybe they should look at the video from the cameras. If the cameras weren't working, then maybe look at why they weren't. Then you would find your culprit. Remember, when you point at somebody else, three fingers are pointing back at you!!

Posted by: John Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Freddy is a walking Hate Crime.

Posted by: annonymous on Aug 4, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Yikes! What an ugly, ugly man.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 4, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Once again they are in the news. WHY? Who cares??!!! IDIOTS!

Posted by: just me on Aug 4, 2008 at 06:45 PM
Things that make you go hummmm! Isn't paranoia a sign of schizophrenia?

Posted by: Henry Location: Topuka on Aug 4, 2008 at 06:00 PM
He needs a makeover. You can see the possesion of a demon in that man! UGH!

Posted by: Mari Location: n.e.kansas on Aug 4, 2008 at 05:16 PM
I am sorry that a church burned. But, these people use the church for their hatred. Everyone does have the right to voice their opinions, but the way that the Westboro people do it to me is wrong.

Posted by: Andy Location: KS on Aug 4, 2008 at 05:08 PM
God giving you a glimpse of the afterlife you and your members are going to experiance? Gospel="Good News", I doubt anyone see's the venom that you are preaching as "Good News".

Posted by: janice on Aug 4, 2008 at 04:38 PM
Phelps and his gang most likely did this for attention!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Taylor Location: TOPEKA on Aug 4, 2008 at 04:10 PM
As Mr Phelps requests that his occurance be treated as a Hate Crime, his Church is a Baptist Church, so that means if the State or Federal Government recognizes this Church, they need to Recognize All Churches in the Same Light, or they as Govt Offices, will be Violating Federal and State Laws. Just as Homosexuals should be given no Special Treatment ( or Extra Publicity) nor should Westboro "BAPTIST" CHURCH. thank you

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Banda sea on Aug 4, 2008 at 04:05 PM
A hate crime? Does I sense hypocrisy in this statments??

Posted by: a foe of phelps Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:53 PM
Phelps you are a hate crime in its self. Go for the insurance you butt head. That's what I think you really want. Wouldn't doubt it a bit if your stupid clan started it.

Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:51 PM
now that is funny.......

Posted by: Flash Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:43 PM
Wasn't it about a week ago that the Supreme Court declared that the truck Freddy uses to tote his signs around in wasn't a part of the church and that he now has to pay taxes on that truck. That wouldn't be the one that was in the garage that was on fire would it???

Posted by: TiredOfPhred Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:42 PM
What I would like to know is since when did a fence, garbage cans, or a garage become a 'church'???? Or maybe the garbage cans symbolize the rhetoric spewed by this misguided cult. Sounds like someone has been missing the attention they should not be receiving. Where is the video and the coverage for the other fires that have happened recently??? As bad as I would like to see this cult leave the country (since they 'hate' it so much here), this act, if truly set by someone other than the cult, was uncalled for.

Posted by: Lindsay Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:26 PM
A fire huh......must be getting a taste of what your eternity will be like.

Posted by: Lee Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:16 PM
With all phred's signs spouting hate, does he know anything about instant karma? Hate begats hate. Period. Write on chalkboard 100 times for karma 101 homework. ... and we shall reap what we sow ...

Posted by: martin Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Ha! Wonder if TFD dragged their feet for a bit before arriving. If they did so, then, alright. Hows it feel freddy?

Posted by: anonymous Location: Kansas on Aug 4, 2008 at 03:07 PM
Gee Fred, maybe its KARMA! What goes around comes around!!!

Posted by: None of your business Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:58 PM
He need to set his old ass down some were. He look freddy in the picture

Posted by: Al Location: Lawrence on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:55 PM
It is not that people "hate" your religion. It is the way you shove it down people's throats. Everyone is entilted to their own opinions, but when you show up to events saying how you hate gays and everyone is going to hell if they don't follow your way of life you are making people hate you because of your own bizarre actions. No one is going to hell because there is no such thing as hell. We live one life on this earth so enjoy it now and stop living for something that doesn't exist.

Posted by: Bud Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:39 PM
If anyone watched the video available on CJ Online, the girls in the video were joking it up. Does this seem suspicious? Who yaks it up when they have just been torched? I wonder if a look into their finances and available forensic evidence may indeed lead to a "Hate crime". Someone in the Phelps clan, perhaps, looking for insurance money to further afford their crime of spewing hate?

Posted by: keepitreal Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:30 PM
Hate crime, you think? Wow he is pretty smart. Hes lucky thats all that has happened to him and his clan.

Posted by: rachele Location: atlanta on Aug 4, 2008 at 02:05 PM
Somebody said something about "oily rags" in his garage (no doubt purposefully placed there by the Westboro "Baptist" "Church" themselves). "God hates rags."

Posted by: TiredofPhred Location: Topeka, where else ? on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:58 PM
Yesterday, it was $10,000 damage, today $20-30,000. I wish I had Phred's insurance adjusters. Why were two old people sleeping in the church, don't they have a home ?

Posted by: anonymous Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:54 PM
The Phelps probably set it themselves to get back in the media...I don't put anything past these idiots.

Posted by: derek on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:49 PM
good

Posted by: Tricksie Larue Location: Tillamook, Oregon on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:44 PM
I am curious does Freddy and his Clan now believe "GOD Hates Garbage Cans"

Posted by: PC Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:40 PM
What makes him so special? He is the biggest offender of hate crimes!

Posted by: Shane Location: S.E. Kanssas on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Was it a hate crime or was it that God was putting forth his wrath on the wesboro church? You also talk about a slap to the face crediting the Topeka F.D. when the church says that WE fire fighters are ALL rapist, child molestors, and murderers.

Posted by: jon Location: KS on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:22 PM
Oooh. Mr. Phelps is real smart isn't he? Of course it was a hate crime. When you go around telling anyone not in your cult God hates them of course they hate you.

Posted by: FM Location: Manhattan on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:18 PM
It is funny to me how Mr. Phelps can call this a "hate crime" but sees nothing wrong with protesting the funeral of a gay or a military person. I am sorry that his place of worship was on fire, but maybe he can take a little of his own medicine on this and know what it feels like for a family to see protesters at their childs funeral.

Posted by: anonymous Location: ks on Aug 4, 2008 at 01:10 PM
A hate crime! Ha! More like a cheritable deed to me. The only one guilty of a hate crime is Fred Phelps himself!

Posted by: Kathie Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:57 PM
Well Fred I guess Hate begets hate! I guess you do reap what you sow. How does it feel on the other side?

Posted by: maria Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:46 PM
I haven't heard the Phelps family in the news for some time now. They very likely did it themselves and now are blaming it on someone outside of their hate crime riddled godless compound.

Posted by: ROBERT Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:33 PM
The Phelps's hate America so much, why don't they just go away from the bad people who don't like them. I hear there are a few.

Posted by: dave on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:21 PM
pot calling the kettle black

Posted by: Jan Location: Manhattan on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:18 PM
Phelps is crazy. What he preaches is not a religion. He teaches hate. I hope all the people he wrote too will ignore him.

Posted by: Lindsay Location: Topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 12:03 PM
Really?!?!?! A hate crime?!?!?! Isn't hate your forte Mr. Phelps!

Posted by: Hahahaha on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:56 AM
Phelps must be very tired, I don't see them out on 100 degree heat as usual.

Posted by: Kaye Location: KS on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:49 AM
Gee, Freddy, isn't that what you preach??

Posted by: david Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:45 AM
give me a break a hate crime. this man teaches hate to kids. I do support his right to free speech butI hate the man, and hate seeing kids with signs in their hands. I wish the whole thing burn to the ground this is not a church.

Posted by: Andrew Location: Kansas on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:28 AM
Wow, a suspected hate crime Hhmmm... Why would he think anyone would HATE him. He must think he's the only one allowed to HATE people. Maybe he should let people take care of there loved ones that have fought and died for this country. Died to give him the right to do what he does. Now he suspects some people don't like him, Wow!!!

Posted by: Carol Location: KS on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:27 AM
Phelps needs to read Romans 13 as it states very clearly that he is to be in submission to established government authorities because GOD established those authorities to preserve man.

Posted by: Ila Location: KS on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Why do you interview this jackass?? He speaks for a very SMALL minority of individuals. Do you just like the entertainment value?? Satan loves Phelps rhetoric as it is antichrist in nature.

Posted by: Tim Location: Pittsburg on Aug 4, 2008 at 11:16 AM
Whoever set fire to the Westboro Baptist Church committed a despicable act and endangered human life. But the IRONY of Rev. Phelps denouncing a "hate crime" .....

Posted by: travis Location: topeka on Aug 4, 2008 at 10:36 AM
yeah fred we hate u, pretty much everyone.