WND: Judge throws out unanimous jury verdict in Christmas-light fight

Lawyer for family: ‘No good reason’ to reverse judgment against homeowners group
May 12, 2019

The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is being asked to restore a jury’s unanimous verdict against a homeowners’ association in a dispute over Christmas lights.

First Liberty Institute filed the appeal on behalf of Jeremy and Kristy Morris, who are battling their HOA over their annual display of holiday lights at their home in Hayden, Idaho.A jury found the HOA targeted the Morrises with religious and other discrimination. It awarded them $60,000 in compensatory damages and $15,000 in punitive damages.The jury found the HOA revealed a “preference that a non-religious individual” should purchase the home the Morrises bought.But last month, Idaho District Judge B. Lynn Winmill threw out the jury’s decision, ruling that the West Hayden States First Addition Homeowners Association did not discriminate.

Winmill instead blamed the couple for having Christmas displays in 2015 and 2016 that were too large.

First Liberty said it is asking the 9th Circuit to reinstate the jury’s verdict.  Read more:
https://www.wnd.com/2019/05/judge-throws-out-unanimous-jury-verdict-in-christmas-light-fight/