Notice to new members intending to register - from January 9th 2012

mammastalkin · #1 06-28-2009, 12:39 PM

Routier still waiting on DNA testing
Tim Sampson
The Daily Times Published June 24, 2009
Convicted child killer Darlie Lynn Routier sits on death row waiting for a new round of court-ordered DNA testing a year after the highest criminal appeals court in the state ordered that evidence be re-examined.

Her attorney says the results could substantiate Routier’s claims that an unidentified intruder murdered her two sons.

Arrested for killing her sons in their family home in Dallas in 1996, Routier was tried, convicted and sentence to death in Kerrville. More than a decade later, Routier, 38, continues to advocate her innocence from death row.

In June 2008, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled unanimously that Routier was entitled to re-testing of several pieces of forensic evidence, using more advanced methods not available during the trial.

“DNA testing has improved since those items were originally tested. So the court felt it was appropriate to order re-testing on those pieces of evidence that failed to yield a result the first time,” said Lisa Smith, an assistant district attorney in Dallas.

http://dailytimes.com/story.lasso?ewcd=41b43e670875db41

mammastalkin · #2 06-28-2009, 12:40 PM

Thinking of Darlie and hoping for the best!!

**lisainengland** · #3 06-28-2009, 12:56 PM

My heart goes out to Darlie and my thoughts are with her

spoookeesgh · #4 07-22-2009, 02:45 PM

I personally find it appalling that she's had to fight so hard to even have the tests done. It's amazing to me how many people think she's guilty - but then you start pointing out ALL of the problems with her trial...the evidence that the jury was not shown, etc. and then people start to see "Wow, maybe she DIDN'T do it. How horrible!" She'd have to be SuperWoman to be able to stage the scene and inflict the wounds to herself the way that the State says she did.

I seriously keep Darlie in my prayers and hope she can get these tests done and clear her name - and enjoy the remaining childhood years she has left with her surviving son, Drake.

carolengland · #5 07-22-2009, 04:29 PM

my prayers are with you darlie all the way in england god will look after you i have just brought the book of the internet and all i can say is stay strong x x

mammastalkin · #6 07-22-2009, 04:42 PM

What is worse than her fight is the knowledge that since the Supreme Courts ruling that DNA testing is not a constitutional right--many peoples request will now be denied.

JJS811 · #7 07-23-2009, 07:31 AM

Hank's have been since the SC ruling, and I am sure he will be far from the only one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mammastalkin

What is worse than her fight is the knowledge that since the Supreme Courts ruling that DNA testing is not a constitutional right--many peoples request will now be denied.

moonshinegrrl · #8 08-13-2009, 01:46 PM

I think if there is DNA it needs to be tested. If they are guilty then it will make them look more guilty, which I sure would be a relief to the jury members. If they are not guilty then there is time to find out who is. It kills me when the DNA comes back pointing to someone else and the powers that be say that just means someone else was there, then they don't ever look for the someone else

DaveMoff · #9 08-18-2009, 11:14 PM

As I understand it, the Supreme Court ruling to the effect that there is no Constitutional right to DNA testing was handed down in the case of a man who was convicted in Alaska, one of three states which does not presently permit post-conviction DNA testing. I regard the ruling as blatant indifference to the Constitutional guarantee of "due process" and the right to confront one's accuser, but....for now the most effective battles on this subject are those which can be fought on the state level.

Texas, for example, has a law guaranteeing post-conviction access to DNA testing, though in the Routier case they have fought tooth and nail against actually having to provide it. Those of you who have a genuine interest in the case and would like to know how you can help Darlie Routier would do well to visit www.fordarlieroutier.org. There is a lot of information there, along with contacts you may find useful. Feel free to tell folks that Dave sent you (assuming you're supportive)--if you are genuine in your desire to be supportive, believe me, there are several ways in which you can be of considerable help.

mammastalkin · #10 08-19-2009, 04:40 AM

It is true that the SCOTUS ruling is a set back to many. Most of the states that do permit such post conviction testing have restrictions. A positive ruling would have been so helpful.

I am glad to stand with Darlie and her supporters. I hope that she one day receives the justice she has so far been denied.

JJS811 · #11 08-19-2009, 11:48 AM

The SCOTUS ruling is a disgrace! ANY and ALL avenues should be completely and fully examined before such a final sentence is handed down. If prosecutors are so sure of their cases, why deny? I would be jumping up and down to ensure anyone I convicted was guilty even with a prison sentence, let alone a capital sentence. Again issues that surround the DP in the United States stink. Get your conviction, clear books, so what if the convicted individual is innocent or guilty, look at our clear up rate! Oh hell so the real murderer might kill again, the cases won't be connected - right? It STINKS!

DaveMoff · #12 08-19-2009, 01:13 PM

Any judicial ruling which restricts a defendant's access to any and all evidence which may support their case is ridiculous.

Some of you may recall that our legal system is based on two major principles, presumption of innocence and conviction ONLY after proof of guilt "beyond a reasonable doubt". How many of you believe that that is how things are done in our courts today?

JJS811 · #13 08-19-2009, 01:43 PM

More chance of me believing a snowball could survive in hell, Dave!

DaveMoff · #14 08-19-2009, 02:10 PM

Isn't it funny how the United States Constitution seems to have become a quaint historical document, rather than the cornerstone of American law it is supposed to be?

I do not, of course, mean "funny" in the belly-laugh sense.

saracmc · #15 08-19-2009, 02:30 PM

The Constitution is only a "cornerstone" when it's politically convenient
(ie: legislation limiting assault weapons v. Constitution)

DaveMoff · #16 08-19-2009, 06:39 PM

A good point. However, that was not the purpose for which the document was created.

Robin Heinz · #17 10-03-2009, 10:52 AM

New Here! I am determined to help Darlie get a new trial....what to do? Any suggestions? Who do we contact,etc. Any info appreciated.
Thank You

mammastalkin · #18 10-03-2009, 11:07 AM

Welcome to PTO. The best place to start would be her website. www.fordarlieroutier.org.

blunsford · #19 12-20-2009, 10:49 AM

I have been trying to "log-on" to Darlie Routier's website for several days now and cannot get it to open. Do you know if it has been taken down or what the problem might be? The reason I am interested is I have a page for her case on one of my websites with a link to her home page.

Also, do you know if there has been any results from the DNA testing approved in June and November of 2008?

Barbara in Texas

PamelaC123 · #20 01-20-2010, 10:41 AM

After many years of research, I very firmly believe in the guilt of Darlie Routier. I am not an advocate of the death penalty. I would have no problem with her serving a life sentence instead. Providing, of course, that the new DNA testing confirms her guilt. DNA testing that is available now that was not available at the time a crime was commited should be an absolute right. Very most especially when a persons life is at hand.

Cloudy · #21 01-20-2010, 11:03 AM

Pamela, this is a support site. We do not discus whether a person is guilty or not...They have to deal with that every day of their lives. We are here to support them, their families and friends.

PamelaC123 · #22 01-20-2010, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudy

Pamela, this is a support site. We do not discus whether a person is guilty or not...They have to deal with that every day of their lives. We are here to support them, their families and friends.

Support them, then. I have a son who is in prison myself and I certainly did not mean to step on anyone's toes. I am new to this site. I just registered today and did not realize exactly what the site was about. I only heard of this site through another debate site that is a discussion board about death row inmates in high profile cases and I thought that's the same type of thing I was going to here. My computer is just about the only thing I have as companionship and I like to talk, discuss, and yes, even debate.The second post I made today was saying that after making my first post, I looked up and noticed this sites logo which says "Prisontalk.com Prison Information and Family Support Community". I immediately made my second post and apologized and basically deferred to the moderator on how to handle myself here. I get the gist now and I don't appreciate being spoken to like an unruley child.

I see now what the deal is here. I get it. I apologize. As earlier stated, I have a son who is my heart and soul in prison in north Florida four and a half hours one-way from where I live. I cannot even go to see him. My brother served two short prison terms before being murdered in 1988. Believe me, I get it.

To everyone here and their incarcerated loved ones... I feel your pain. I cannot apologize enough. I didn't mean to hurt anyone.

Pam

Cloudy · #23 01-21-2010, 02:35 AM

Pam,

I didn't mean any harm with my words and I'm sorry for you and your son. It's not that i judge you for being pro Dp. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But it is just against to rules of PTO.

The people on PTO are also here for you, no matter what your feelings are. Point is, we get so much negativity from pro DP people, and i really can understand what you want to discuss. You are certainly not seen as an unruley child!!! This post you made was the first I read from you and you don't have to keep on making apologies.

Sorry if I offended you!

PamelaC123 · #24 01-21-2010, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cloudy

Pam,

I didn't mean any harm with my words and I'm sorry for you and your son. It's not that i judge you for being pro Dp. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. But it is just against to rules of PTO.

The people on PTO are also here for you, no matter what your feelings are. Point is, we get so much negativity from pro DP people, and i really can understand what you want to discuss. You are certainly not seen as an unruley child!!! This post you made was the first I read from you and you don't have to keep on making apologies.

Sorry if I offended you!

Apology accepted, cloudy. And please accept mine if I've offended you in any way.

Please understand this though, I am absolutely NOT a death penalty advocate. I want that to be clear. I am very, very anti DP. I was just saying I believed Darlie to be guilty, but I do NOT think she should be murdered.

Thanks again. I appreciate the apology and the kind words.

Pam