Did Darlie Do It?

By Jeff Crilley

THE STORY:

More than three years have passed since the horrible killings in a quiet, upscale Rowlett neighborhood that left two young brothers dead. And almost three years have passed since the little boys' mother was convicted and sentenced to death for that grisly crime.

Today, Darlie Routier is a condemned woman. But she sits hopefully in a Dallas County jail cell waiting to find out if she'll get a new trial, because of numerous flaws in the court reporter's record of her first trial.

But even beyond courtroom technicalities, Darlie Routier says she's doesn't belong in prison, and she doesn't deserve to die. FOX 4 News reporter Jeff Crilley spoke with Routier in the first on-camera interview she's given in more than two years. She says she still doesn't remember much about the night of June 6, 1996. She does remember that someone attacked her sons as they lay sleeping on the floor, and attacked her, too, on the couch.

Author Barbara Davis writes books about true crime stories. She's even written a book on the Routier killings, "Precious Angels", which mirrored her beliefs (at the time) that Darlie was guilty. But now, Davis sees things differently. She claims the prosecutors at Darlie's trial held back key evidence (notably photographs) that would support Darlie's claim that an intruder killed her sons, not her.

Charlie Samford was one of the 12 Kerr County jurors that sentenced Darlie to die in February, 1997. Liked the others, he was horrified at the thought that a mother could kill her kids. But now after 2 years, Charlie's horrified with himself. Charlie told FOX 4 he claims he didn't see some of the pictures of the injuries Darlie sustained that June night in Rowlett.

Prosecutors say the jury saw all the evidence, and they don't understand how Charlie Samford could say he didn't see the pictures of Darlie's bruises. And they continue to maintain their case is solid, and that they have the right person in prison for the crime.

Will Darlie get a new trial? Legal experts say that because of the errors in the original trial transcripts, she has a good chance of winning a fresh start in court.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

So you've seen the story, and you've heard the evidence. What's your verdict? E-mail us at kdfw@foxinc.com or fill out this easy e-mail form.

4 MORE INFORMATION:

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Darlie Routier's family and friends have set up an extensive website, fordarlieroutier.org.

Another writer, local magazine editor Christopher Wayne Brown, has written a book proclaiming Darlie's innocence. Check out mediatried.com, if you're interested in buying the book.

The original book written by Barbara Davis, "Precious Angels" is reviewed online at Amazon.com.