In December, I made a decision that changed the lives of 23 children. As a judge with over 22 years of experience, I’ve signed countless orders, but nothing prepared me for the events that unfolded on Christmas Eve. I had signed an eviction order for St. Catherine’s Children’s Home, a place that had housed vulnerable children for years. The bank had foreclosed, and the eviction was imminent, but I never expected what would happen next.
On the night of the eviction, a group of two hundred bikers arrived at the orphanage. They formed a protective circle around the building, preventing the sheriff from carrying out the eviction. Their leader, Thomas Reeves, made it clear they weren’t there for violence but to protect the children. With Christmas approaching, they couldn’t stand to see the kids evicted, especially after already losing so much. As the crowd grew, the message was clear: these children deserved a chance at peace and stability.
Through their collective effort, something extraordinary happened. The bikers, along with local community members, began organizing a solution. They raised funds, contacted the bank, and eventually secured a deal. The bank agreed to restructure the loan, offering the orphanage a lifeline. By Christmas morning, the eviction was postponed, and the children were safe. It was a community, not the law, that made it happen.
This experience taught me an invaluable lesson. The law doesn’t always deliver justice, and sometimes the system needs to be challenged. The bikers, despite their intimidating appearance, had the biggest hearts, and their actions reminded me that justice is about more than following rules—it’s about protecting the vulnerable and standing up when it’s needed most. From that night forward, I vowed to always consider the human side of the law before making a decision.
