Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Texas judge walks off bench; when FLDS children will return is unknown
The Deseret News ^ | 5/30/2008 | Ben Winslow and Nancy Perkins

Posted on 05/30/2008 6:40:22 PM PDT by Utah Girl

The devil was in the details.

Discussions about a proposed order involving the return of children taken from the Fundamentalist LDS Church's YFZ Ranch broke down late this afternoon when attorneys for the families wanted to review proposed changes with their clients.

Judge Barbara Walther announced the attorneys had better get all of their clients' signatures before she would sign the agreement and abruptly left the bench late this afternoon.

A lawyer for the families, Laura Shockley, said she expected attorneys would return to an Austin appeals court Monday to push for an order returning the children. It was the 3rd Court of Appeals that said Walther should not have ordered the children to be removed from the ranch and warned that if Walther failed to act, they would do it for her.

Lawyers for the families said that an agreement had been tentatively reached with Child Protective Services when they walked into court earlier today. Walther, however, expressed concerns about the proposed agreement and called an hourlong recess. She then returned to the bench with her own proposed order.

That led to concerns from many family attorneys who raised objections and questions on behalf of their clients.

The judge added additional restrictions to the the agreement, including psychological evaluations and allowing CPS to do inspections at the children's home at any time. Several of the more than 100 attorneys in the courtroom and patched into the hearing through phone lines objected to the judge's additions.

"The court does not have the power, with all due respect, to enter any other order (other than vacating)," said Julie Balovich of the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid over the telephone. She argued that no evidence justifying the additional restrictions had been entered as evidence before the judge.

After reviewing the appellate court decision, Walther returned to the bench and announced she believed the Supreme Court's decision upholding the appellate court decision gave her the authority to impose whatever conditions she feels are necessary.

"The Supreme Court does say this court can place restrictions on the parents. I do not read that this decision says that this court is required to have another hearing to do that. You may interpret that however you choose."

With that, the judge abruptly left the bench, saying she would await any submitted orders.

Immediately, attorneys in the courtroom and over the phone, expressed confusion.

"What did she say?" one attorney asked.

"Do We have another hearing?"

"What did she order?"

No additional hearings are currently scheduled. The judge signed no orders that would allow for the release of any children.

Lawyers for CPS left the courthouse declining to speak about the hearing.

"I'm going to do what the court directed," said CPS attorney Gary Banks.


TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: cpswatch; flds; imspeechless; judiciary
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 501-515 next last
To: Utah Girl
I was curious what she looks like. Her official web page is minimal (only a phone number), but I did find a photo, here:


21 posted on 05/30/2008 7:08:46 PM PDT by Cicero (Marcus Tullius)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero

Not a very flattering photo.

But, fitting.


22 posted on 05/30/2008 7:12:06 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar (Who would the terrorists vote for?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: tobyhill

“If they refuse to sign then the Texas SC order still stands and the kids must be returned.”

Yeah, well that piece of paper saying the kids must be returned isn’t doing the parents much good. The almighty State still has their children, and possession is nine-tenths of the law.


23 posted on 05/30/2008 7:14:05 PM PDT by Pete98 (After his defeat by the Son of God, Satan changed his name to Allah and started over.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 14 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
This is absolutely stunning. Who does this judge think she is?

I believe she signed the original order to remove the children. She is mad because her original order was overturned by the higher court.

24 posted on 05/30/2008 7:19:17 PM PDT by WesternPacific (I am tired of voting for the lesser of two evils!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Pete98

If they aren’t returned then the Dept of Public Safety has a legal obligation to get them returned based on the Texas SC order.


25 posted on 05/30/2008 7:22:00 PM PDT by tobyhill (The media lies so much the truth is the exception)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 23 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
However the TXSC deals with Judge Walther, the lawsuits over this will never end.

IMO, it would have been cheaper for the State of Texas if they had just sent in the goon squads, burned down the church with all the people inside, plowed up all the FLDS land, crushed their vehicles and left smoking debris.

This would allow CPS to dust off their hands and congratulate each other with awards and bonuses and declare that at least the chilllldrennnn were not abused by a bunch of sex perverts.

Now, we have hundreds of families who have been rounded up and put in concentration camps against their wills.....THE WOMEN AND CHILDREN DIDN'T DO ANYTHING WRONG!

The perps are a few old perverted farts...and as far as I can tell none of these people are anywhere near jail.

As a Texas taxpayer, we can hope that the FLDS detainees will "turn the other cheek", go home, never to be heard from again.

....but somehow I have a feeling that they are not that forgiving....somebody must pay...and that....would be me and millions of other Texans.

Meanwhile, the CPS jerk who thought all this up gets off scott free.....grrrrrrrrrr.

26 posted on 05/30/2008 7:36:01 PM PDT by B.O. Plenty (Give war a chance......)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Cicero

27 posted on 05/30/2008 7:39:59 PM PDT by getmeouttaPalmBeachCounty_FL (****************************Stop Continental Drift**)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
I pointed out some time back, this woman shows signs of instability and does not belong on this case. She is burned out and her judgment is affected.
28 posted on 05/30/2008 7:42:34 PM PDT by hinckley buzzard
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl

Aren’t the DNA tests about to be released? Perhaps the children should stay right where they are till we can answer the popular question, “Who’s your daddy?” No sense allowing the children to go back to parents who might be arrested for sexual abuse next week.


29 posted on 05/30/2008 7:50:11 PM PDT by kittymyrib
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: kittymyrib

The higher court(s) said they erred in taking the children. They took the DNA after they took the children. The DNA may not even be admissable in either case, civil or criminal.


30 posted on 05/30/2008 7:55:29 PM PDT by SouthTexas (If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: Wolfie
It just means the church will end up owning an even bigger chunk of Texas when it’s all said and done.

Let them try to sue. No Texas jury will give them a cent after they learn all the details of the disgusting lifestyle these perverts lead. Texas citizens are supporting CPS, more than they oppose it.

Oh and this isn't a church, its a sex slave cult.

31 posted on 05/30/2008 7:59:09 PM PDT by JRochelle (Keep sweet means shut up and take it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 13 | View Replies]

To: Mr Ramsbotham
Bring ‘em Young University, back in business.

So, you're in with the perpetrators of this pogrom? For shame.

32 posted on 05/30/2008 7:59:12 PM PDT by Supercharged Merlin (The way to take money out of politics is to take the politics out of money !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl

http://www.statesman.com/news/content/gen/ap/Polygamist_Retreat.html

The judge wanted

Walther had wanted to add restrictions to the agreement worked out by the parents’ attorneys and Texas Child Protective Services, but the parents’ attorneys argued that she didn’t have the authority.

The judge then said she would sign the initial document, but only after all 38 mothers involved in the case the high court ruled on signed it first.

skip a few paragraphs:

Under the deal CPS released, the families won’t be able to leave Texas until Aug. 31 but would be allowed to move back to the ranch. It also calls for parenting classes and visits by CPS to interview children and parents in the child abuse investigation.

Walther wanted to remove the August deadline and provide for psychological evaluations of the children. She also wanted it specified that parents can’t travel more than 60 miles from their residence without 48 hours’ notice. She also wanted CPS to have access to the ranch and the children at all times necessary for any investigation.


33 posted on 05/30/2008 7:59:24 PM PDT by deport ( -- Cue Spooky Music --)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle
Texas citizens are supporting CPS

Wrong. I do not support dismissing the rule of law based on opinions and rhetoric.

34 posted on 05/30/2008 8:01:23 PM PDT by SouthTexas (If you are not living on the edge, you are taking up too much space!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: kittymyrib

Aren’t the DNA tests about to be released? Perhaps the children should stay right where they are till we can answer the popular question, “Who’s your daddy?”


But daddy didn’t show up for DNA testing or at least only a small number did if I remember correctly. Those I think were living with one wife not multiples..........


35 posted on 05/30/2008 8:03:01 PM PDT by deport ( -- Cue Spooky Music --)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 29 | View Replies]

To: JRochelle

Feel the hate.


36 posted on 05/30/2008 8:06:44 PM PDT by Supercharged Merlin (The way to take money out of politics is to take the politics out of money !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 31 | View Replies]

To: Cicero
I was curious what she looks like

Some men just can't help themselves.

37 posted on 05/30/2008 8:10:20 PM PDT by ladyjane
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 21 | View Replies]

To: Utah Girl
The judge has been placed in a very awkward position. There can be few people out there that would wish to be in a situation thus:

Damned if you do and damned if you don't

This whole business has really got to me emotionally. I now hear that the FLDS are demanding voting registration. They are now going to, no doubt be manipulated into other things.

Something just is not right.

38 posted on 05/30/2008 8:11:12 PM PDT by Peter Libra
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: B.O. Plenty
Now, we have hundreds of families who have been rounded up and put in concentration camps against their wills.....

Not to be mean, but your ignorance is truly stunning. Taking kids from their parents happens every day in this country. CPS has the duty to protect the kids, not prosecute the rapists. If there is an allegation of abuse, CPS acts and then figures out the facts later. This is SOP.

This judge can make demands of the mothers. The appeals court never said she couldn't. They gave her discretion. They did not order the kids returned right away. The parents had to come to an agreement with the court.

Concentration camps? History is not your strong suit, is it?

I see the Molester Defender Cabal is flocking to this thread in outrage that those kids are not immediantly turned over to their future rapists.

39 posted on 05/30/2008 8:11:26 PM PDT by JRochelle (Keep sweet means shut up and take it.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 26 | View Replies]

To: Supercharged Merlin
Feel the hate.

Lynch mob mentality.
40 posted on 05/30/2008 8:11:37 PM PDT by FreedomOfExpression (Dime: a dollar with all the taxes taken out.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 36 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 501-515 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson