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State of Texas v. Andrew Wayne Roark
Date: 02-14-2000
Case Number:
Judge: Not Available
Court: District Court, Dallas County, Texas
Plaintiff's Attorney: Dallas County, Texas, District Attorney's Office
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Dallas Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Description:
Dallas, Texas, criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with child abuse.
On July 16, 1997, Roark was caring for his girlfriend's 13-month-old child when he later discovered
the child unconscious that afternoon at home. After undergoing examination, it was medically
determined that the one-year-old had been violently shaken and Roark was charged with injury to a
child.
On March 14, 2000, Roark was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The State argued that
Roark had caused the child's injuries by violently shaking her, a claim based on the Shaken Baby
Syndrome theory. Current advancements in medical and scientific understanding would no longer
support the State's theory at trial.
"The scientific evidence in this case was highly technical and required careful review. After reading
the Court of Criminal Appeals' opinion, it is evident that the high court also thoroughly examined all
the evidence when reaching the conclusion that the advancements in science entitled Roark to a new
trial and that it is unlikely a jury would convict him in light of those advancements,†said CIU Chief
Prosecutor Cynthia R. Garza.
Roark was released on bond in December of 2012 after the District Attorney's Office agreed to a new
trial based on the evolution of science and emerging case law. The Dallas County District Attorney's
Office agreed to further trial court findings in 2014, 2019, and 2023, recommending that Roark's
conviction be vacated based on Article 11.073 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals
with changes in scientific evidence that was introduced at trial and used to convict.
In October 2024, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Roark's conviction. The Court's
decision became final in November of 2024.
Thank you to CIU Chief Cynthia Garza, ADA Brittany Dunn and Investigators Doug Garrison and
Duane Glenn for their diligent work on this case.
Mr. Roark was represented by the Innocence Project of Texas and Gary Udashen on behalf of the
Innocence Project of Texas.
This marks the 47th overall exoneration (cases of actual innocence) for Dallas County since 2001
On July 16, 1997, Roark was caring for his girlfriend's 13-month-old child when he later discovered
the child unconscious that afternoon at home. After undergoing examination, it was medically
determined that the one-year-old had been violently shaken and Roark was charged with injury to a
child.
On March 14, 2000, Roark was convicted and sentenced to 35 years in prison. The State argued that
Roark had caused the child's injuries by violently shaking her, a claim based on the Shaken Baby
Syndrome theory. Current advancements in medical and scientific understanding would no longer
support the State's theory at trial.
"The scientific evidence in this case was highly technical and required careful review. After reading
the Court of Criminal Appeals' opinion, it is evident that the high court also thoroughly examined all
the evidence when reaching the conclusion that the advancements in science entitled Roark to a new
trial and that it is unlikely a jury would convict him in light of those advancements,†said CIU Chief
Prosecutor Cynthia R. Garza.
Roark was released on bond in December of 2012 after the District Attorney's Office agreed to a new
trial based on the evolution of science and emerging case law. The Dallas County District Attorney's
Office agreed to further trial court findings in 2014, 2019, and 2023, recommending that Roark's
conviction be vacated based on Article 11.073 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which deals
with changes in scientific evidence that was introduced at trial and used to convict.
In October 2024, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Roark's conviction. The Court's
decision became final in November of 2024.
Thank you to CIU Chief Cynthia Garza, ADA Brittany Dunn and Investigators Doug Garrison and
Duane Glenn for their diligent work on this case.
Mr. Roark was represented by the Innocence Project of Texas and Gary Udashen on behalf of the
Innocence Project of Texas.
This marks the 47th overall exoneration (cases of actual innocence) for Dallas County since 2001
Outcome:
Exonerated.
Plaintiff's Experts:
Defendant's Experts:
Comments:
About This Case
What was the outcome of State of Texas v. Andrew Wayne Roark?
The outcome was: Exonerated.
Which court heard State of Texas v. Andrew Wayne Roark?
This case was heard in District Court, Dallas County, Texas, TX. The presiding judge was Not Available.
Who were the attorneys in State of Texas v. Andrew Wayne Roark?
Plaintiff's attorney: Dallas County, Texas, District Attorney's Office. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Dallas Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was State of Texas v. Andrew Wayne Roark decided?
This case was decided on February 14, 2000.