Affidavit of Charles L. Samford

In the Criminal District Court No.3
Dallas County, Texas

AFFIDAVIT OF CHARLES L. SAMFORD

Before me, the undersigned notary, on this day, personally appeared Charles L. Samford, a person whose identity is known to me. After I administered an oath to him, upon his oath, he said:

1. My name is Charles L. Samford. I am over twenty-one years old and I reside in Ingram, Texas. I have never been convicted of a crime, and I am capable and fully competent to make this Affidavit. I have personal knowledge of the facts stated in this Affidavit, and those facts are all true and correct.

2. From January 6, 1997 through February 4, 1997, I served as a member of the jury in the case of Texas v. Routier in Kerr County, in which Darlie Routier was alleged to have committed the murder of her son, Damon Routier.

3. During the trial of Mrs. Routier, the prosecution introduced a videotape take by a news reporter showing a birthday party at the grave of Mrs. Routier's children sometime after her children had been killed. The tape showed Mrs. Routier smiling, chewing gum, and shooting Silly String. During our deliberations, I recall that we watched the videotape about eight or nine times, although I wasn't keeping count. The videotape was one of the main reasons I voted to convict Mrs. Routier of murder because I didn't know what to make of her behavior.

4. After trial, I was shown another videotape that I was told was taken by police at the grave site that same day. This second videotape showed a prayer service that happened before the birthday party. Had we been shown this other tape so that we had been able to see the whole picture of what happened that day, I believe I would not have voted to convict Mrs. Routier.

[signed]
______________________
Charles L. Samford

STATE OF TEXAS
COUNTY OF DALLAS

SWORN TO and SUBSCRIBED before me by Charles L. Samford on July 10, 2002

[signed]
____________________
Notary Public, State of Texas