Darlie Routier, the former Altoona resident who is facing a death sentence in Texas for the 1996 murder of one of her young children, was to have a post-conviction hearing in Dallas County last week, but it was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Texas has recently been hard hit by positive COVID-19 cases and several weeks ago Texas Gov. Greg Abbott imposed restrictions on businesses and other services due to the upsurge of cases. Like many other states, courtrooms in Texas have canceled many hearings. One of Routier’s attorneys, Richard A. Smith of Dallas, emphasizing the ...