In 2005, Routier’s conviction was overturned on appeal, citing ineffective assistance of counsel. A new trial was ordered, but Routier was ultimately retried and convicted again in 2008.

In 2017, Routier’s conviction was vacated, and she was released from prison after serving 18 years for a crime she maintained she did not commit. While Routier has not been officially exonerated, her release marked a significant victory in her quest for justice.

According to court documents, investigators discovered a number of inconsistencies in Routier’s story. For example, she initially told police that she had been in the living room with her sons when the intruder entered, but later changed her story to say that she had been in the kitchen. Additionally, police found that Routier had recently purchased a life insurance policy on her sons, which she claimed was to ensure their financial security in the event of her own death.

The Darlie Routier case serves as a cautionary tale about the potential for wrongful conviction and the importance of ensuring that justice is served. While the case is a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences of crime, it also highlights the need for vigilance in ensuring that the rights of the accused are protected.

However, in 2016, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, Mara Leveritt, published a book about the case, titled “Devil’s Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three.” The book highlighted the questionable nature of the evidence and the potential for wrongful conviction.

On June 5, 1997, Darlie Routier reported that her two sons had been shot and killed in their home. She claimed that she had been in the living room with her sons when an intruder entered the house and shot them. However, investigators quickly became suspicious of Routier’s story, citing inconsistencies in her alibi and the lack of any signs of forced entry or struggle.