The Dallas County Criminal District Attorney's Office has announced the exoneration of Andrew Wayne Roark, 48, who was convicted in 2000 for injury to a child.
Roark’s case was re-evaluated by the District Attorney's Office's Conviction Integrity Unit (CIU) after advancements in scientific understanding rendered the evidence used against him no longer credible.
"There exists no evidence in which we could support a conviction and believe Mr. Roark is actually innocent," said Dallas County Criminal District Attorney John Creuzot. "We firmly believe would the same facts and circumstances occur today, Mr. Roark would be acquitted of any charges brought against him, therefore he should enjoy the presumption of innocence."
Roark was charged after the 13-month-old child of his then-girlfriend was found unconscious in July 1997. Medical professionals determined the child had been violently shaken, and Roark was subsequently convicted based on the Shaken Baby Syndrome theory. He was sentenced to 35 years in prison in March 2000.
However, scientific advancements now challenge the validity of Shaken Baby Syndrome as presented in his trial. In October 2024, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned Roark's conviction, concluding that the evidence underpinning his conviction was no longer reliable.
"The scientific evidence in this case was highly technical and required careful review," said CIU Chief Prosecutor Cynthia R. Garza. "It is evident that the high court also thoroughly examined all the evidence when reaching the conclusion that advancements in science entitled Roark to a new trial and that it is unlikely a jury would convict him in light of those advancements."
Roark was released on bond in December 2012 after the Dallas County District Attorney's Office agreed to a new trial. Following years of reviews and further findings in 2014, 2019, and 2023, the District Attorney’s Office recommended vacating his conviction under Article 11.073 of the Texas Code of Criminal Procedure, which addresses changes in scientific evidence.
Roark's exoneration marks the 47th case of actual innocence recognized by Dallas County since 2001. He was represented by the Innocence Project of Texas and attorney Gary Udashen. The case was resolved through the efforts of CIU Chief Cynthia Garza, ADA Brittany Dunn, and investigators Doug Garrison and Duane Glenn.
