Lawyers for a youth pastor who sued the owners of Westfield Galleria at Roseville over free speech say they have resolved his case out of court.
In October, the California Supreme Court denied a Westfield request to review a lower court's ruling that the mall's rules restricting communication among strangers are a violation of free speech.
The appellate court ruled that Westfield's conduct of prohibiting talk among strangers unless it relates to the mall and is approved in advance "are unconstitutional on their face" under the California Constitution's free speech guarantee, according to an appellate opinion.
The appellate court reversed a Placer County Superior Court ruling in favor of Westfield and sent the case back for further proceedings. The company's only apparent options were to ask for review by the U.S. Supreme Court, settle a lawsuit seeking monetary damages on behalf of a single plaintiff or litigate the amount of damages in trial court, Westfield said in October.
Today, attorneys for Pacific Justice Institute, who represented Matthew Snatchko, said in a press release that the case has been amicably resolved out of court in a confidential agreement.
"We are very pleased by this settlement, which brings to culmination our efforts of the last several years on behalf of pastor Snatchko and free speech," said Brad Dacus, president of the Pacific Justice Institute.
The case arose out of the arrest of youth pastor Snatchko who went to the Galleria to talk with others about his faith. He approached three women who agreed to talk with him about his faith, but a private security officer ordered him to leave.
When he refused, the officer took him into custody and turned him over to Roseville police.
Westfield contended that the appellate decision would render mall manager helpless while "the safe, calm atmosphere is transformed into a common flea market."
Previous coverage:
State high court denies Westfield's appeal in free speech suit - Oct. 22, 2010
Roseville galleria's rules deny free speech, state appeals court says - Aug. 14, 2010
About Comments
Reader comments on Sacbee.com are the opinions of the writer, not The Sacramento Bee. If you see an objectionable comment, click the "report abuse" button below it. We will delete comments containing inappropriate links, obscenities, hate speech, and personal attacks. Flagrant or repeat violators will be banned. See more about comments here.