So, the wine rack was not bumped during a struggle. 6 after that? PPS Would these other witnesses at her trial be dismissed by you as expressing mere opinion, ‘prejudiced’ by their friendship or otherwise of her? Much of the case against her rested on the testimony of her surviving daughter, Christie, who, once she recovered her speech, described how her mother shot all three while parked at the side of the road and then shot herself in the arm. Darlie Routier, the boys' mother, did make a frantic 911 call at 2:30 A.M., hysterically describing the crime scene. As I say, diary entries are probative in law (whether we like it or not), and just as we would need to account for what we meant in saying something to a third party that is deemed potentially prescient of an impending crime, we equally have to do so in what we write – whether in a diary or elsewhere. Here is what the prosecution had in their case against her: - Silly string video: she had a "birthday party" for the oldest boy, Devon, who would have turned 7 only three days after the murder. Her defense should have brought this issue up before the appeals deadline tolled. Of course, she’s going to have down days. By the way, we didn’t condemn her: the jury did. 51 Comments. RR: “And why would she leave evidence if she really intended to kill her children?” If by evidence you mean the diary – well, how many people have left evidence of their crimes??? No merit has been found in it… which should tell us something. As far as US law is concerned neither diaries nor Facebook posts have any expectation of privacy; if they’re persuasive, a trier of fact may admit all or part. I dug up a YouTube link to the TV movie with Farrah Fawcett https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw_a4JxVTl4&t=7987s. The silly string incident in particular. You’ve prompted me to re-watch the FF ep, and the ABC programme, and I’ll come back with any thoughts. I agree it’s odd and think she might be guilty, but there’s no way for her to get a fair trial to find out now. At that point the man turned and scurried out the door, leaving the knife behind. And random crimes do happen. Plenty of prisoners behave appallingly but neither killed a child nor, apparently, wish to – let alone their own. 18 I was feeling. 13 Darin came in, and asked my what was wrong. 3 A. I called him during the middle, while Just as bias may work against defendants, it may work for them. 14 A. I think she’s guilty – but certainly not because of this stuff. Darlie Routier, the caller to 911, is the killer. https://youcouldbewrong.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/dr-06262015103716.pdf, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDQOAj1LeqU&t=67s, http://www.darlieroutierfactandfiction.com/, https://darliefacts.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/66_darlie-lynn-routier.pdf, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw_a4JxVTl4&t=7987s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsV1u25eXR4. There’s simply no point in invoking the notion of bias, and certainly not in the sweeping generalisation as to ‘small towns’ – which is largely a metaphor for ‘limited thinking’ referenced to socio-economic group, not geography. There is a fingerprint of Darlie's on the knife, but she claimed to have picked up the knife after the intruder dropped it on his way out to defend herself in case he came back. The silly comments about her character are a distraction, and while they may have influenced dumb jurors, are we to believe that they influenced judges who ruled on her appeals? PS Unless you’re a lawyer, you’re not giving a “legal opinion” but an opinion about the law. This is the same case with the vacuum. Engrossing post. Darlie Routier cannot be excluded as the contributor of the DNA from 10-2589-502. That being said, I have gone through this case several times and I really do think she did it. Such an interesting case. Yes, like the jury I think it’s too odd – and I think she’s very probably guilty. Petition details. If you want to read more about the case, here is a link to a site with more background. I disagree with Jason regarding his consistency in observations. Ep 07: Darlie Routier was convicted of the 1996 murder of her two small children, Damon and Devon, but she has always adamantly maintained her innocence. Darlie claims that there was a struggle with the assailant before he fled out of the back of the house. Ive interviewed Darlie, as well as other women in that prison who reside near her. Even if arrest IDs weren’t reported until charge, the same issue applies from charge, as Routier was. There were blood stains at the kitchen sink and in the drain. All left evidence by the perp is unintentional – but ‘cos they’re stupid, forgetful or whatever, that’s what happens (thank goodness!). If she is I dearly hope that can be shown. Did this seemingly happy housewife and mother commit this brutal act or did tunnel vision taint the investigation … In addition to this, there was an ice bucket on top with small bar tools balanced on top of it. They are retired NY detectives with unbiased opinions. As I said, she grabbed the knife for protection off the ground. More important, I don’t think anyone who writes something in a diary owes an explanation about it to anyone else; it’s not a Facebook post. 21 down in the journal. https://scholarship.law.nd.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=4183&context=ndlr. In reality, there was no blood pooled on the back of her shirt, no blood on the sofa she was laying on, and no sign of an attack in that area. For starters, he was married to Darlie Routier. I think moms can definitely kill their kids but not this one, not that way. However, as always in trials, it’s up to the defence and jury to detect and dismiss brainlessness… If they don’t, the accused suffers. Here is a link regarding all of the fingerprint evidence left behind. I don’t know whether Darin Routier had any involvement in this, or not. # JusticeNotPolitics # Routier If the law permitted just anyone to raise the SODDI defense, trials would last for decades and never be concluded. Courts are not run on emotion, impulse, what-ifs, television shows, or hypothetical situations. I can't think of any way it would make sense for that to be a legitimate piece of evidence given the context here. The first responding officer got there two minutes after her 911 call. Where’s the evidence for that, rather than speculation? The FF eps involving child deaths are usually the saddest and most serious (insofar as there’s any hierarchy of seriousness within deliberate taking of life). I just don’t think anyone has the right to judge anyone else for the way they grieve. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. 12 I had my journal on the bed, but it was closed. There's no other explanation for her own kitchen knife having remnants of the screen on it except that Darlie did it herself. From a UK perspective, rich females who like bling are ten-a-penny (cent!) It's merely another staging device. Diaries are powerful pieces of evidence that go to an individual’s state of mind You’re dead in the water on this one. He has proven himself to be biased and unreliable on many occasions. Bundy denied his crimes – and his mother believed him – for many years in prison ’til days before his execution. The cut on her throat came within 1/16 of an inch to her carotid artery. Darlie, who was 26 at the time, claims she woke up on June 6, 1996, to find her six and five-year-old children with multiple stab wounds. And it seems to need saying again: she was NOT convicted because of silly string by 12 jurors, who could all be so absurdly swayed against acquittal by incongruous use of a party piece! He took a lot of prescription meds, including two different blood thinners. She woke up the man hovering over her. They came from her raising a bloody knife up and down with her right hand. Ok. In conclusion, these several or more caveats, while significant and important to highlight, do not of themselves suggest the verdict was unsound. I mention the case as evidence in surmounting the first hurdle that Routier’s prosecution MAY have faced: that a mother couldn’t kill her children cold-bloodedly for any reason. That has probably lessened over time, but prosecutors still view juries as relatively reluctant. I don't know what explanation there is for that. Along with all of the evidence of staging, zero evidence of an intruder, her lies and changing her stories told her guilt. All five of her kids are alive and intact. You seem peculiarly unwilling to admit the relevance of a diary. I think she, just like Darin, know Darlie did it. Certitude is very hard to come by and many cases could not reach that threshold. Marilyn: Where we disagree is that the points made by RR and yourself constitute reasonable doubt (as to the safety of the conviction). If that’s the case, how dexterous would someone have to be to attach it to a knife and make it look authentic? Don’t serve on any juries ok? Re the silly string factor, it was up to the defence, and the defendant, to say precisely the sort of thing you are…, Hey RR, can you do a post on the Forensic Files episode ‘Fate Date’ that details the triple murder by James Kidwell. I … Darlie claims she tried to save her sons by putting towels on their backs. The silly string thing is just ridiculous too – why was the jury not allowed to see it all? She can’t cry all day everyday. Add a comment 10. I have always been of a similar mind as you’ve expressed on this case. Jason: Thanks for the Smith ID. We Support Darlie Routiers Innocence. Upon examination, police pinned her as the murderer. link regarding all of the fingerprint evidence left behind. The other observations you make could apply to many convicts of whom there’s no absolute certainty of guilt (but beyond reasonable doubt). I try so hard to prove people are innocent that sometimes I am initially biased and have to rethink things and decide if I'm purposely overlooking things. But not a peep out of him that night. — RR, Read Part 2:  Drake Routier: 5 Things to Know, Watch Forensic Files episode “Invisible Intruder” on YouTube or Netflix or Amazon Prime. You are reading more into this than is actually there. I met a man I liked when my daughter was little. An ABC series called The Last Defense is reviving interest in the 1996 murders of Devon and Damon Routier and the character assassination prosecutors used to put their mother on death row. There is very little possibility indeed that anyone other than Downs is the perp. Considering that Cron came to the decision that Darlie Routier was responsible for the murder of her children within … Why is that irrelevant to the question of her guilt? Her own notes in the hospital records all said she was crying, sobbing, emotional but on the stand? When it comes to true crime I hate to say I’m certain about anything because as avid follower of true crime docus/books/blogs the only thing about crime I’m certain of is that (barring the cases where a killer was caught in the act or confessed totally and never recanted) you can never be 100% sure, but I’m almost positive she didn’t do it. Sounds like something to sink my teeth into — I’ll put it on my list. Darlie Routier's ex-husband says she's innocent in sons' murders "I loved Darlie. From July 13, 2020: Darlie Routier, the former Altoona resident who is facing a death sentence in Texas for the 1996 murder of one of her young children, was to have a post-conviction hearing in Dallas County last week, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I certainly wouldn’t. The ‘silly string’ ep was, and should be treated as, a sideshow of no probative relevance whatsoever (which is NOT to refute that it could’ve been damaging to her; rather that it shouldn’t have been): there’s no range of ways to grieve to indicate certain behaviours outside that range that render them inauthentic and therefore ‘suspicious’. This is the sofa she was laying on when she 'woke up after being stabbed'. Well, to be honest, I mean, I don’t People often enjoy songs because the melody and harmony speak to them — the lyrics are insignificant. Opened the wine glass cabinet before tossing a glass out and knocking over the vacuum cleaner. Today would have been Devon Routier's 31st birthday. Stay out of women’s diaries, Greg. All this, seemingly, for a man, in combination with her seeming to have, and have had, no maternal feeling whatsoever, making the crime easier. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsV1u25eXR4. It was confirmed that it was both Devon and Damon's blood. Have an amazing day. What happened when Darin got there? And, She seems not to have meant her husband. The silly string stuff is entirely contingent upon interpretation – opinion – and is assuredly not evidence, like RR contends. All jurors will claim that they believe their decision is right and accords with the facts as presented… Even if there were NO media reporting – not necessarily desirable as it’s one means of gathering potential witnesses and other information such as from ‘snitchers’ – neighbours, family and friends would know and the bush telegraph would start. Thanks again, RR, for a hilarious and poignant read. No this. The evils of Silly String, LOL! Pamela, thanks for sending the testimony passage — it’s telling content. They also found skin DNA from Darlie. That is MY opinion, take it for what you will. And did he come home shortly If it’s true that they were so sloppy with the crime scene, surely this is a valid point? Darlie Routier is where she is because the evidence against her proves that she’s guilty. “All we knew before the trial was that she was from Dallas, and, you know, she had killed her kids.”. instead of sound evidence! I’ve been depressed, and suicidal, dang near my entire life… And yet here I am! I can very easily see how all the jurors would be biased. Failing in that, she could have retained a new attorney and asked for a trial de novo based on incompetent counsel. Add thesaurus 100. You don’t think it odd, that an intruder breaks into a home, viciously stabs 2 little boys to death and allows the only adult witness to live and only give her superficial wounds? Thank you for such a thorough reply. You didn’t get anything special Her own testimony and the evidence proves she's guilty. This is an indication that Darlie did that herself, probably by banging her arms on something hard like the edge of a table. 16 I was feeling the past couple of days, that I didn’t like There were no scuff marks, blood marks, hand marks or anything on the windowsill. 4 I was writing. Whatever is said, is [unintelligible]. Attendance to the evidence at trial, not how peers say she behaves now, is of far greater significance. It was too smeared to be useful. Comment. BSJ plants a seed, using sarcasm. We are in ways ‘biased’ due to our respective differences in intellect, insight, etc, and so in our ability to weigh evidence; and in our moral, religious and political outlook. If someone isn't in their right mind and truly wants to hurt themselves, they can certainly inflict intense and near-fatal injuries on themselves. Attack #1: Greg Davis and fellow prosecutor Toby Shook said they were “sickened” and “disgusted,” respectively, by a tribute involving Silly String and laughter the Routiers had at a grave-side birthday celebration for one of their slain sons. 9 A. Her other bruises had already formed and were healing, but her heavy arm bruising showed up days later. She was a stay at home mom, why kill them when the husband was home? Required fields are marked *. If they were divorced or other ‘what ifs,’ he might be considered an otherwise objective witness, but that’s not the case and has no relevance in the instant matter. I’ll give you both. If you don't know the case of Texas mother and wife Darlie Routier then your probably new to the wrongful conviction crowd. 25 whole world. What did you tell him? Actually, here’s a better idea: Spring Darlie Routier from her cell, and everybody else mind your own business. My law-abiding mother taught me “La Cucaracha” when I was 5 years old. Attack #5: Davis notes one of Darlie’s diary entries asks God to “forgive her” for what she is “about to do.” He believes that means she intended to kill herself or her sons or both. Rebuttal: One tiny fragment? RR: I understand, and the silly things said by the prosecution support your contention. 19 Q. Dropped the knife, exited the garage without leaving any trace of his blood anywhere. People simply don't want to believe that this pretty, perky, little white, comfortable middle class housewife would stab her 2 little sons to death, but she did. Davis continues the defamation of the former housewife from Rowlett, Texas, on The Last Defense as do a number of others connected with the case. She’s changed details of the story over the years and has never shown much emotion about the deaths/injuries, which has done for her if there was any doubt. She seems to have captured your imagination! And the evidence doesn't correlate to Darlie's story. If anything, there is a great deal of doubt to her guilt which means she should not be in prison and should not be awaiting death. He’d be ok with a baby as they attract female attention, much like small animals. Marilyn, you won’t like this, but I often serve on juries. 11 house. Pronounce word 150. However, the glass from the one broken wine glass was found on Darlie's bloody footprints in the kitchen. And whether as victim or perp, can we be surprised that what she’d experienced days before could render her behaviour ‘absurd’…? She comes across as a very odd woman – but then you likely would be if you could shoot your children! SUSANNA REID: Darlie Routier and I may only be separated by a pane of bullet-proof glass but we are worlds apart. Of course that's not proof but it's something I can't shake. A father is viewed as more ‘loyal’ to his children than the wife who may have killed them, and therefore as a ‘litmus test’ as to her guilt. That they are should at least have made it easy for a decent defence to show that poor-quality, desperate argument was being used to condemn the accused, of no probative value whatsoever, which could even have worked in her favour for the jury as a whole: Look how desperate they are to get her, by using character assassination etc.