Yearning for Zion - Court Ruling

Today, Judge Barbara Walther ruled that the state keep custody of the 416 children taken from the Yearning for Zion ranch in Eldorado, Texas. This is the start of a long process of appeals, etc. It was another 10 hour day at the courthouse. I was surprised that she was able to make a decision so soon. We'll see what happens. I'm leaving tomorrow morning, but I'm sure this isn't the last we'll hear of this story.

Gawkers came out in mass today to watch the circus.
This woman testified in the hearing. I get some sick guilty satisfaction from joining the heard chasing these people down.

I was finally able to go into the courthouse to listen to some of the hearing. We sat around a lot waiting for breaks in the hearing, so I decided to ditch my camera gear and watch for a while. Luckly, I just caught when the judge made the hearing. Suprisingly, though, there wasn't much reaction from the women in the courtroom. I think they knew it was coming.


I felt somewhat guilty of shooting this couple while they were trying to find a private moment. I shot a couple frames until he asked for a minute. I thought that it was important to show a more human side of the intimacy that they wouldn't show in front of cameras. Even though, they probably weren't excited about me photographing them right there, I thought it was important. So, I left for a second, grabbed a longer lens, and stood down the street to shoot the hug above.
Cultural contrast.