David Pietras

Innocent on Death Row David Pietras

Darlie Routier is on death row in Texas, convicted of the murder of one of her two sons, who were killed in the early morning of June 6, 1996. The media coverage of the investigation into the murders of Devon and Damon Routier depicted the crime as another heartless mother whose children were getting in the way of her lifestyle, so she killed them. After a jury trial in Kerrville Texas, Darlie was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. Most found it believable in the aftermath of the Susan Smith case two years earlier. But the prosecutor withheld very crucial evidence. After the trial numerous jurors stated that had they seen the evidence that was withheld they would of never found Darlie guilty. Since her conviction, Darlie and her family have learned a lot more about the legal system. They have presented a far different picture than was originally shown by the press. Read both sides and decide for yourself if this young woman is the she-devil portrayed by the prosecutors and press, or a woman naive of the inner workings of the legal system.