Former Butte student takes free speech case to MT Supreme Court

By David Jay/KTVQ

Posted: Mar 8, 2010 9:09 AM

Reneee Griffith, a former Butte High School student, lost her free speech case against the Butte School District after it prohibited her from including God in a valedictorian speech, and now plans to appeal to the Montana Supreme Court

Lawyers presented their cases in Yellowstone County District Court in December 2009.

In 2008, the Butte School District told Griffith she could not give her speech if it included attributing her success to God.

Last month, Judge Gregory Todd wrote in his ruling that the school district did not violate the U.S. Constitution or Montana law.

Griffith's attorney Bill O'Connor says the school district would have allowed her to thank people, such as a coach or teacher, but instead limited her free speech rights.

"Why can't you say it's my belief that I learned from my belief in my faith in Jesus that kept me going through school?" asked O'Connor. "It's no different. It's a viewpoint discrimination, and we believe the distinction based solely based on religion is unconstitutional."

O'Connor plans to file an appeal this week.

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