The Darlie Routier Case

  • Site description

    This site seeks to provide information about the case of Darlie Routier. Darlie is on death row in Texas for a crime she has steadfastly maintained she did not commit.

    A growing body of evidence supports her claims of innocence.

    Please take time to learn about Darlie’s case. Join us in speaking out.

    Use the site map located here, the search tool below, or click on the headers at the top of the page to navigate the site.

  • Please donate

    To donate to Darlie's Defense Fund that is managed by her defense attorneys, please click here

The Evidence

The following pages discuss various components of the state’s case against Darlie Routier. These pages also provide evidence supporting Darlie’s claims in statements and testimony.

The Blood Evidence

The prosecution presented testimony by bloodstain pattern analyst Tom Bevel. His testimony in Darlie’s case and in other cases has been influential in helping states obtain convictions. However, many wonder if his conclusions about what happened in the Routier home were based on a subjective science with serious limitations instead of an objective and solid science.

A review of the blood evidence in Darlie’s case as well as Bevel’s testimony is provided here.

Examination of a previous case in which a man named Timothy Masters was wrongfully convicted based on testimony by Tom Bevel is here. A more thorough analysis of Tim Masters’ case and exoneration is here.

Tom Bevel testified in a number of trials that have since been scrutinized and identified as possible wrongful convictions. These include the following (links are provided for the ones with available write-ups describing his involvement):

The following are cases where people were exonerated after having been convicted at trials where Tom Bevel testified on the side of the prosecution.

The book And Justice for No One discusses Tom Bevel’s testimony on behalf of the prosecution. Parts of the book are available here.

The Fingerprints

Bloody fingerprint evidence was obtained from the Routier home that experts have stated do not match the Routier family. The federal courts will allow these fingerprints to be run through databases once the state of Texas concludes other testing related to the case. Read more about the fingerprint evidence here.

The Shoe/Boot Prints

A number of partial bloody shoe/boot prints were observed and photographed throughout the first floor of the Routier home. Click here to read more about these prints, their location, and what they mean in reference to Darlie’s claim of innocence.

The Towels

Police and paramedics claimed that Darlie did not assist her children in any way on the night of the murders, however conversations overheard on the 911 call and towel evidence throughout the home (discussed in testimony and seen in photographs) completely disputes these claims. Read more here.

The Police Notes

Various people, including police and detectives, involved in the investigation into the events of June 6, 1996 failed to take notes and follow up on important leads. Trial testimony excerpts reflecting this issue are provided here.

The Nurses’ Notes and Testimony

A number of nurses testified at Darlie’s trial, claiming she was not emotional. However, the notes taken by the nurses while Darlie was treated at Baylor University Medical Center tell a strikingly different story. Read about the notes (and see the actual notes) and the testimony by clicking here.