Reader comments
FLDS seeking CPS evidence

There is no evidence | 5:02 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

CPS is handling this the same way they did the ï¿½disputedï¿½ adults, ie, dropping the cases just before the hearings. The truth here is not that theyï¿½re overwhelmed with evidence, itï¿½s that they have no evidence at all.

MV | 8:11 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

The article states, 75 percent of the children have been nonsuited. However I do not believe this means they are free from CPS control. There will be the constant "drop in" visits and continous oversight probably for years.
How many of these mothers and children have been able to return to their home at the ranch? Are they still living with relatives and in shelters? How many of the mothers, who have always been good mothers, are forced to work in public leaving children to be cared for by others?
Texas, I am so shamed for you. The sight of weomen and children being herded onto buses will never leave my mind. What has our country come to?

MV | 8:16 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

More of CPS and Walther's lies when they say they did not intentionaly with hold discovery!!!!!!! Go back and read the statements. Perhaps in Salt Lake Times. As soon as I find the link I will post it!

Comments continue below

zxcvbnm | 9:03 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Walthers ordered that all "videos, audio and photos" be made available to the defense.
A few weeks ago DPS stated that all paper documents have been gone thru and that electronic evidence would take quite some time.
It would appear that Walther did not order the release of the paper evidence, diaries and written records. Did Walthers only release partial electronic media or is DPS thru with the first sift thru evidence?
What good does it do to release only partial sources of "evidence" when there may be documents or electronic records that refute other documents or electronic records?

Joey | 11:08 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

When all CPS has as evidence of abuse in certain cases is hand written or typed pieces of paper or photographs, but no 1) physical evidence of abuse such as bruises or a rape kit; and/or 2) the testimony of a victim, IMO, great care should be taken authenticating that paper evidence to make sure it's not fabricated or tainted, since the whole of the state's case rests on it.

Gal50 | 11:14 a.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Cynthia Martinez has been a voice of reality throughout this case. She tactfully points out that the caseload is significantly reduced now that so many children have been non-suited that CPS can surely by now distribute the evidence it has.

It seems to me and one could guess that Cynthia Martinez suspects that there isn't much in the way of evidence. But, being the good lawyer she is, she isn't going to state that until CPS has a chance to produce its evidence.

CPS actions are indicating that there isn't much evidence. Certainly there was no evidence in the cases that have been non-suited. CPS is merely setting a bar that each mother has to jump over before being non-suited. I think CPS is concerned about the obedience indoctrination that trains children and mothers to obey the wishes of the fathers and leaders no matter how sick those wishes are.

If I had to take a guess as to the evidence, I'd bet that the children who are still under CPS control are merely siblings of girls who allegedly are statutory rape victims and have babies, diaries, dictations etc to prove it.

zxcvbnm | 12:44 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

RE: MV Free from CPS oversight means free from CPS oversight.
When a case is finished in Texas, CPS sends documents to the subjects of the case.
The subjects are provided with a form that when completed allows case files to be sealed and or destroyed.
In theory anyway..any record of a previously cleared case can not be used against the subjects of the case should something else come up.
If the people have been cleared then it would take another fake phone call to get CPS involved again.
We all know these people might be subject to investigation by LE in a criminal matter but CPS is supposed to stay away after a case is thru.

GiGi13 | 4:11 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

I'm glad to read that the FLDS attorneys are being patient with the CPS as far as evidence is concerned.

Imagine the CPS' workload BEFORE the raid. Then overnight 439 cases got added to it...then it becomes a juggling act.

CPS has to be careful not to let their other cases suffer.

The fact that they have already non-suited so many cases tells me they are working day and night to get this resolved.

Joey | 7:21 p.m. Sept. 27, 2008

Gigi, this is what Kurt Schulzke at iperceive had to say about the CPS' workload:

"Letï¿½s get one thing straight: This caseload was overwhelming precisely because Texas CPS deliberately made it overwhelming by cynically kidnapping an entire community last April. If they canï¿½t handle the caseload, they can always just non-suit then entire mess and start the case over as if ï¿½ contrary to fact ï¿½ they really are Americans living under a system of laws."

Hold you horses everyone | 8:19 p.m. Sept. 28, 2008

This is just much too early in this to make up a bunch of conspiracy theories. Just wait and see what the evidence is. What comes out. There is soo much that still needs to come out on both sides that this is getting to be speculation at it's worst.

charlesh | 11:42 p.m. Sept. 28, 2008

should there be prosecution of the state in this matter?

x | 1:14 a.m. Sept. 29, 2008

It sounds like the battle is just starting for the flds and cps in texas. When the battle is done, hopefully there will be peace instead of war in the supreme court of texas.We will see what happens because some wear along the line constitutional rights were broken.So since most of the cases are wrapped up, is the cps of texas going to raid every house of children that are neglected and being harmed?

Laughing | 3:38 a.m. Oct. 1, 2008

Actually, "X" - in order for CPS of Texas to act consistently with all of of Texas communities, they have to go in to each community - kidnap the woman and children, hold them for 2 weeks in places meant for animals, then lie to the mothers and children and separate them, then traumatize the children even further by separating siblings, then not follow due process or CPS procedures (one of which is removing the perpetrator from the home, not the child). Then all of the INNOCENT have to appear before a corrupt puppet judge and be forced to sign illegal boilerplate 'service plans' that don't even fit many households. THEN, after a higher court overturns the corrupt puppet judge and the children are returned, further threats and drama have to continue to revolve around 2 young women who only desire to be free of their CPS leash holders.

Sick...absolutely sick, sick, sick.

And some in Utah and most Texans think this is the way to 'save' people.

I think I should change my name to 'vomiting' because that's what watching this whole injustice has done to my digestive system - made me want to vomit.

S. Martin | 3:04 a.m. Oct. 2, 2008

CPS should be punished harshly.

They should not be allowed to spread lies or do this to any family.

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