Thursday, August 17, 2017

The Truth about Judge Wells: Who’s Watching the Watchers?






The Truth about Judge Wells
Who’s Watching the Watchers?
By
James Scott Trimm


Family Court judges interact with people in what is often one of the worst experiences of their lives.  The cases often involve people with seemingly conflicting rights over the same property and more importantly, their children.   The dilemma of child custody disputes goes all the way back to the times of Solomon (1Kings 3:16-28).  Unfortunately half of disputants leave Family Court unhappy.  In fact, often, both parties leave unhappy.  When people are caught in emotionally wrenching situations and are disappointed by the outcome, it is easy for them to interpret their disappointment as “injustice” and this has led to a subculture of Family Court haters. 

The anti-Family Court subculture has formed an organization in Tarrant County which operates under the names Protective Parents of Texas (PPT) and Protective Parents Coalition (PPC) which maintain a groups of self-proclaimed “court watchers.”  Jennifer Olson who was one of the co-founders of the group largely leads the group.  In a recent article I documented that Jennifer Olson, who is a family violence activist, was herself arrested just last year for family violence. 

Much of this sub-culture is made up of former litigants in Family Court, who were personally disappointed by the outcome of their family court cases, and emotionally feel that their outcome was “injustice.”  This is a subculture of people that simply harbor an irrational hatred for family court judges.  One of the lightning rods for this subculture to hate on has been Judge Judith Wells of the 325th District Court.  This may be in no small part because Jennifer Olson’s most recent divorce and child custody dispute was handled by Judge Wells' 325th District Court. 

In my own investigations, I have discovered that PPT /PPC has been less than honest in its representations concerning Judge Wells.

For example, one Wells case famously cited by PPC/PPT is 325-371563-04 (Archer v Archer).  PPC/PPT recently shared a video of Ms. Archer saying:

Wendy Archer, has spoken out on this page of the trauma induced by Judge Judith Wells to her family. Presented below is a video with Ms Wendy Archer. We appreciate her speaking out and she continues to be an advocate for children and families that are being traumatized by the Tarrant County Family Court.



In the video Archer explains how she appealed her case in Wells' Court to the Appeals Court and even to the Texas Supreme Court, but lost both appeals.  She claims this demonstrates the “…corrupt culture in the Tarrant County Family Courts which are closely connected all the way up to the State Supreme Court of Texas.”

What PPT/PPC doesn’t tell you is that Archer actually settled her case out of court.  (It is amazing the number of cases that PPC/PPT cites as examples, which were actually settled out of court.)  In this case Archer had become dissatisfied with the Amicus Attorney who had been appointed to represent the interests of the children.  Archer was unhappy with the fact that the Amicus Attorney representing the best interests of the children, was to her view, “aligned with” the children’s father in "her desire for the children to live primarily with the father.”  When Wells did not entertain her desire to remove the Amicus attorney, Archer filed a motion to have Wells herself recused.  When Judge Welker denied that motion, Archer appealed that ruling to the Appeals Court which said:

Appellant Wendy Jo Archer attempts to appeal from denial of her motion to recuse the trial judge in cause number 325-371563-04.   Judge Jeff Walker heard appellant's motion and denied it on April 16, 2010.   Appellant filed a notice of appeal, and on May 12, 2010, we notified the parties of our concern that this court lacked jurisdiction over this appeal because the “Order Denying Motion to Recuse” does not appear to be a final judgment or an appealable interlocutory order.   We also stated that the appeal would be dismissed for want of jurisdiction unless appellant or any party desiring to continue the appeal filed with the court, on or before May 24, 2010, a response showing grounds for continuing the appeal.   No response has been filed.



Generally, an appeal may be taken only from a final judgment or order.   Lehmann v. Har-Con Corp., 39 S.W.3d 191, 195 (Tex.2001).   An order denying a motion to recuse is an unappealable interlocutory order.  Hawkins v. Walker, 233 S.W.3d 380, 401 (Tex.App.-Fort Worth 2007, pet. denied).   Specifically, rule 18a of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure provides that an order denying a motion to recuse may be reviewed only “on appeal from the final judgment.”  Tex.R. Civ. P. 18a(f);  see Hawkins, 233 S.W.3d at 401.   Because the order from which appellant attempts to appeal is an unappealable interlocutory order, we dismiss this appeal for want of jurisdiction.   See Tex.R.App. P. 42.3(a), 43.2(f).

Still not satisfied, Archer appealed this to the Texas Supreme Court, which also denied her appeal for the same reason.

What PPC/PPT does not tell you is that Wendy Archer ultimately signed an agreement settling out of court, and of course you cannot appeal an out of court settlement, that is why it is an agreement. In the end Judge Wells simply signed off on the agreement Wendy Archer agreed to out of court, as Texas law generally compels judges to do.

In another recent posting in their "Vote No" to Judge Wells campaign, PPT/PPC shares an article about a “Texas Supreme Court ruling handed down on Judge Judith Wells” as if it is recent news (it actually happened way back in 2008).  

  
It appears that for Protective Parents of Texas, if the Texas Supreme Court upholds Wells' decisions, it is evidence of a “corrupt culture… all the way to the State Supreme Court of Texas.”   But the Texas Supreme Court reverses Wells, this is evidence that she is a bad judge.  This is what passes for rational thinking in the PPT/PPC pitchfork-crowd culture.

Who's watching the watchers?.... I am!







21 comments:

  1. Attention author: I would like to alert you to a necessary correction. Jennifer Olson has never had a hearing before District Judge Judith Wells. All hearings were before her associate, Terri White. I hope you will correct your incorrect statement in this blog. - Jennifer Olson

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    1. The article never said that you had hearings before Judge Wells but only "Judge Wells' Court". But for clarification I have added "825th District" to clarify that I refer to the court.

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    2. "825th" in my reply was a typo for "325th"

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  3. If I have to explain the difference between an "Associate Court" and 'District Court", then I seriously doubt you were able to analyze any court case and come to any conclusions. Who is the actual author of this post James? Clearly it is not you. Your statement should be "This may be in no small part because Jennifer Olson’s most recent divorce and child custody dispute was handled by THE 325TH ASSOCIATE COURT. "

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    1. I was the sole author and researcher of this blog.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Jennifer, Your very challenge implies an admission that my analysis of the case is correct, thank you. After all, it would make no sense to challenge my capabilities to write the article and make the analysis, if the analysis was bungled. So thank you for your admission.

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    4. Jennifer, You may want to notify your attorney of this. I noticed all the filings in your case had the heading "325th District Court" at the top, and not one of your filings was made in the "325th Associate Court"

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  4. Jennifer, Your very challenge implies an admission that my analysis of the case is correct, thank you. After all, it would make no sense to challenge my capabilities to write the article and make the analysis, if the analysis was bungled. So thank you for your admission.

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  5. 9/13/2017: CEASE AND DESIST- James Scott Trimm, you have been repeatedly libeling and harassing me, my family and my associations for 34 days straight. (Since August 10, 2017)

    This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER is to inform you that your harassing and intimidating actions against me has become unbearable. Such anti-social behavior is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in any way, shape or form.

    This letter is to demand that your harassment and intimidation must CEASE AND DESIST immediately. Should you continue to pursue these activities in violation of this CEASE AND DESIST ORDER, we will not hesitate to pursue further legal action against you, including, but not limited to, civil action and/or criminal complaints.



    Please note that I have a right to remain free from your intimidating tactics, and we will take the responsibility upon ourselves to protect that right. Note that a copy of this public letter will be stored. Note too that it is admissible as evidence in a court of law and will be used as such if need be in the future.

    This CEASE AND DESIST ORDER demands that you immediately discontinue and do not at any point in the future under any circumstances do the following to me: speak to, contact, pursue, harass, attack, strike, bump into, brush up against, push, tap, grab, hold, threaten, telephone (via cellular or landline), instant message, page, fax, email, follow, stalk, shadow, disturb my peace, keep me under surveillance, gather information about and/or block my movements at home, work, social gatherings or religious functions.

    I have a close relationship with my local police department, unlike what you have reported, and I have been discussing remedies to end the harassment.

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    1. Oh this is *rich*. So I have treated you and your organization with the same level of scrutiny that you and your organization have treated the Tarrant County Judiciary, with the important distinction that my articles have been factually correct, and you don't like it. How does the saying go?... Sauce for the goose....". It's from the Facebook school of law. If you don't like the fact that a blogger is exposing dishonest claims made by you and your political organization, even if all his responses are factually accurate, just write a cease and desist statement, post iit on Facebook, wave your magic wand, and presto, the first amendment is nullified.

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  6. RabbiTrimm have you found any cases where Judge Wells has sent kids to family bridges? Or any other reunification shams program?

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  7. The 325th court is corrupt and they are easily "bought off". Although Terri White has been removed, but the damage she caused to our family has not been repaired. The Amicus and counselor appointed by White also are corrupt. They are all buddy buddy. Makes me sick what they do to kids & families!! They will have to answer to God for what they have done to so many!!

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  8. 325th is most certainly corrupt! My case started around this time when Judge Terri White started our first few hearings. My ex husband’s attorney Donna Smeidt was representing the judge in a separate case involving the judge’s mother. Totally unethical and neither of them disclosed this which makes sense now that the favoritism given was something unbelievable. His attorney was granted special treatment by totally ignoring his positive opiate and alcohol tests all while attorney Scmeit sought out testing for me incinuating that I was a reason for monitoring. Of course I had hair, urine and nail samples with all negative results while the one claiming total sobriety comes back positive for opiates and alcohol. It should be noted that I had no prior convictions regarding any drugs or alcohol but had to undergoing needless expensive testing monthly for 1.5 years in the 325th with not one positive result and a great deal of my hair is gone due to that on top of what my ex husband already ripped from my head months before. Opiates he tested positive on ..being the main reason for my ex husbands rehab stays and previous supervised visits with the children not to mention the horrific physical abuse that nobody really even denies happening on a daily basis at that time was ignored and yet time with our children was split 50/50 and he’d never even taken them to school or a doctor or even showed up when the last one was born. All things the court was aware of. It was documented with photos and witnesses from countless people and even in his own written letter of admittance the horrible physical abuse given to me and his step son being my oldest. When Judge Wells stepped in I thought maybe it was a good thing but that was just the beginning of my nightmare. I hope nobody has to endure what I did in her courtroom and I hope that by reaching out I can help somebody going through the same thing. She ruined many lives and to think it was allowed to happen all due to favoritism and the fact that my ex husband is very wealthy and even boasted about putting me through needless hearings just to ensure I’d have nothing and he’s doing it still and she allows unnecessary motions while ignoring even an assault ticket issued to him with a witness neither of us knew watching him do to me in the presence of my youngest son during litigation proceedings. To her that was not an issue important at all and deserved no attention just like the pictures, video’s, assault charges and even his own written letter admitting it. To think a three time convicted felon with 100% evidence of family violence and drug abuse was actually given favor and I was offered no protection is heartbreaking, but it took me a lot of courage and time just to get out of that marriage. He always threatened that he’d ruin me if it ever came to court and that was one of my biggest fears and after finally finding courage and trusting the system I can honestly say I’m more scared of the officials we elected to make just and ethical decisions than maybe even my ex husband. And he can’t even vote! Go figure. If anybody wants to know more or if I can help I may be reached at katie.k.moncrief@gmail.com.









    of all things there was a reason to be concerned after

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  9. OMG...I WENT THROUGH THE SAME THING AS YOU WITH TERRI WHITE AND JUDITH WELLS!
    NEGATIVE HAIR FOLLICLE AND URINE TESTS! SUFFERED ABUSE. HAD WITNESS STATEMENTS FROM OUR GROWN CHILDREN AND OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS. WAS SHUT OUT FINANCIALLY WHILE EX HUSBAND WAS EARNING 6 FIGURES. HE DID THE SAME TO HIS FIRST WIFE. I HELPED RAISE THE CHILDREN HE TOOK FROM FIRST WIFE AND NAIVELY BELIEVED HIS ACCUSATIONS THAT HIS EX WAS A DRUG ADDICT AND ALCOHOLIC. HE ALONG WITH THE JUDGES OF THE TARRANT COUNTY TEXAS 325TH DISTRICT FAMILY COURT AND THE ATTORNEYS THAT PLAY THEIR GAME, HAVE RUINED, POISONED AND INFLICTED UNSPEAKABLE ABUSE ON INNOCENT PEOPLE AND THEY WILL...AND I REPEAT, WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BY GOD!

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    1. tGist.. I’m so sorry to hear you suffered anything near what I went through for two years in her courtroom and you are right. Someone needs to hold them accountable.. feel free to email me!

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    2. tGist.. I’m so sorry to hear you suffered anything near what I went through for two years in her courtroom and you are right. Someone needs to hold them accountable.. feel free to email me!

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  10. Hi. My husband and I run VLTV - an alternative news media outlet. We are currently working on a documentary that involves someone in Judge Wells' court, as well. We are exposing all the corruption that is going on, not only with her, but also with the D.A. of Tarrant County as well as the amicus attorney appointed by Judge Wells, Lyndsay Newell. They are covering up crimes against children and perpetuating those crimes to keep the money flowing into the system. Could I get your permission to use some of the info from your blog? I am also looking for an email address for Judge Wells directly. Any other information you may have would be greatly appreciated. Thank you, Angie of VLTV

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  11. Hi. My husband and I run VLTV, an alternative news media outlet. We are currently working on a documentary which exposes more corrupt behavior from Judge Wells' court, as well as corrupt behavior from the D.A. and the amicus attorney, Lynsay Newell. I would like your permission to include part of your blog in the documentary. I am also searching for an email address for Judge Wells, if you have one. This corruption must be stopped. Thank you for doing your part! -Angie of VLTV

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