About True Crime Author Barbara Davis

Barbara Davis was born in Weatherford, Texas. She graduated from Richland High school and then received an Associate of Arts Degree. She married Jim Davis and they had two children, Lisa Davis, born December 18, 1971 and Troy Davis born December 1, 1974.

After her children were old enough to go into day care, Barbara went to work for attorneys, Handy and Morgan. She continued her career as a legal secretary until she went to work for the District Attorney's office in 1981. She started out working as the secretary for the prosecutors in Felony Court No. 3. As soon as a Victim Assistance office was created, Barbara applied and was accepted as the first Victim's Assistance Coordinator in Tarrant County's history. She assisted victim's of crime in everything from making sure their property was returned, to attending court trials, sitting with the victim or victim's families and explaining each aspect of the trial. Although she deeply loved helping victims, she made the tough decision to resign when policy in the District Attorney's office changed, upon new management, with the emphasis shifted from "people work" to "paper work". Not being able to do the work she loved with victims of crime, Barbara applied and was accepted as a Criminal District Judge's Coordinator. She did this for two years before writing her first true crime book, "Stalked".

"Stalked" is a story based on a victim Barbara had helped while working for the district attorney. LaVonne Skalias was a terrified victim of a rapist who raped her and was sent to prison only to target her once again after he was freed from prison. The second attack was much more brutal than the first. In this attack, Lanny Bevers not only raped LaVonne, but cut her thumb off, broke her leg in two places, choked her and pistol whipped her. After managing to miraculously escape, the police botched the investigation leaving Bevers free. The psychotic man began retaliatory phone calls, engaging the victim and her young daughter in terrifying, threatening conversations. Bevers' phone calls were his undoing and he was caught and sent to prison for life for the horrific things he did to LaVonne. LaVonne has gone underground for fear Bevers will retaliate against her again.

Shortly after this book was published, Barbara lost her husband Jim from a heart attack. The last time she and LaVonne saw each other was at her husband's funeral. LaVonne told her of her plans to leave and that for each other's protection this would be the last contact they had.

Left with two children to raise, Barbara continued writing. Her next book was "Suffer the Little Children" a horrific account of a mass murderer and serial rapist who tortures his wives and children until he is caught for the rape/murder of his eleven year old niece. He is now on Death Row in Oklahoma.

Her next book, Precious Angels, would prove to be her most controversial. She spent five weeks in Kerrville, Texas covering the murder trial of Darlie Routier. Darlie was a Rowlett woman accused of stabbing to death her 6 year old son Devon and his brother, 5 year old Damon, leaving the couple's 18 month old son, Drake alive upstairs as he slept in a crib next to his father. With all the evidence presented, Barbara returned home, convinced that the jury who sentenced Darlie to death for the murder of Damon, had done their job correctly. She wrote a scathing book detailing Darlie's guilt and describing what happened in the courtroom in great detail. She was so convinced of Darlie's guilt and wrote with such conviction, that one of the prosecutor's wrote her a thank you note for doing the story justice. Barbara was invited to appear on the Leeza Gibbon's show along with the family of Darlie and a juror. She was confused as she listened to the family who had lost two precious children, continue to defend and rally around the woman who had so brutally killed them.

Shortly after the publication of the book in January, 1999, she was presented devastating and convincing evidence of Darlie's innocence. To her utter dismay she viewed information which was withheld from jurors, as well as, perjured testimony presented at the trial. Barbara immediately contacted Darlie and went to the Dallas County Jail to speak to her. Both broke down in tears at their initial visit with Barbara apologizing to Darlie for believing the evidence presented at the trial. Darlie showed her amazing ability to forgive by telling Barbara not to worry about it, because if she had just heard what the prosecutor's presented, she would have believed in her guilt. A friendship immediately developed between the two. Barbara and Darlie began to correspond with each other and continue that correspondence to this day. Whenever, Darlie comes periodically to Dallas for various hearing, as she continues to fight for her life, Barbara and Darlie are able to speak by phone.

Barbara offered to immediately pull her newly published book, but Darlie and Darlie's family urged her not to. It was their belief that Barbara had so accurately portrayed the trial, that readers should know what went on in Kerrville that led to Darlie's conviction. People aware of testimony perjured and evidence covered up, can easily see how a jury could have convicted this mother of such a brutal crime against her children.

After realizing Darlie's innocence, Barbara immediately issued a statement and went back on the Leeza Gibbons show to explain to America the reasons she now believes in Darlie's innocence. Investigations continue to be conducted and motions continue to be filed in an effort to prove Darlie's innocence and get her released from death row before it is too late.

As Barbara continued to fight and speak on Darlie's behalf, two tragic events occurred. She lost her father in late August, 1999 and barely three months into her grief, her only son, Troy Davis was killed. The grief from the senseless murder of Barbara's son, left her in a growing spiral of depression. This grief coupled with her ongoing fight for justice for her son has prevented her from being able to write the stories of other people's grief and loss from violent crime. Barbara hopes and prays that justice will prevail for Troy, and that she can begin to complete the grieving process for the son she loves dearly. Only then, does she feel she will be able to continue doing what she loves - writing about people touched by the terrible grief caused by violent crime.

Barbara was in a state of grieving herself to death, when she was literally rescued by two wonderful people who came into her life in 2001. Her beautiful granddaughter, Lauren Taylor Zimmerman was born on August 17, 2001, and she met and feel in love with a tall, handsome man named Ray Mudd. The two married and live in the North Richland Hills home where Lisa and Troy grew up. They also own a beautiful home on six acres in East Mountain where they can retreat to. Barbara loves her visits to the East Mountain home where, surrounded by the quiet beauty of nature, she can recharge her batteries and gain the strength to continue the legal battle to vindicate her son and bring him justice.

Lisa and Lauren live in the home next door to Barbara and Ray, which the couple absolutely love. Lauren stays with Barbara full time while Lisa works for a group of doctors at Endodontics Association in Hurst.

Ray and Barbara are very active members of First Baptist Church of Haltom City. Her faith in God is the one constant thing that has sustained Barbara through the loss of her father, the death of her loving and devoted mother in October, 2003, and the tragic and senseless death of her cherished son, Troy. The love of her husband, daughter and grandchild have allowed Barbara to live again and given her the strength to continue the fight for justice for Troy.

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