Hearing set for disabled vet accused of stalking Westboro Baptist Church members

? A new hearing date has been set for a disabled Army veteran accused of stalking members of a Topeka church.

Ryan Newell’s scheduled preliminary hearing Thursday has again been continued. The new date is March 31 in Sedgwick County District Court.

Newell — who lost both legs while serving in Afghanistan — is charged with felony conspiracy to commit aggravated battery and five misdemeanors.

The Marion man was arrested Nov. 30 after sheriff’s detectives found his vehicle parked outside Wichita City Hall while five Westboro Baptist Church members met with police inside.

Westboro members protest military funerals, claiming soldier deaths are God’s punishment for the nation’s tolerance of homosexuality.