US court: Hate preacher Scott Lively should stand trial for crimes against humanity
An appeals court has refused to dismiss a case against homophobic pastor Scott Lively, who is set to stand trial for crimes against humanity.
Lively is an American pastor whoĀ cheered on anti-gay legislation in Russia,Ā branding Putin an āunlikely heroā for passing it.
It previously emerged that heĀ addressed an anti-gay conference in Uganda just before the countryās homophobic law was first drafted,Ā and heĀ is facing a charge ofĀ crimes against humanity for his role in encouraging the country’s law, and similar ones around the world.
The USĀ First Circuit Court of Appeal this week refused his bid to have the case against him dismissed on free speech grounds – meaning the case willĀ go to trial.
The short judgment said: “Although it is debatable whether the district court has properly parsed the petitioner’s protected speech from any unprotected speech or conduct, his right to extraordinary relief is not clear and indisputable.
“The petition is denied.”
Lively ran last month for Governor of Massachusetts as an independent candidate, but came dead last, amassing justĀ 19,378 votes out of 2,158,326 – even being beaten by the number of ballot slips turned in blank, at 28,465.
