Texas Woman Convicted For Crying Rape
A woman accused a man of rape and in retaliation her husband killed her alleged attacker. Later it came to light that she lied about the rape and now she’s been convicted of manslaughter.
Tracy Roberson’s false claim of rape got her lover killed by her husband in 2006, and on Friday it brought her a conviction for manslaughter.
A Tarrant County jury deliberated more than 11 hours over two days before deciding that the actions of Mrs. Roberson, 37, led to the shooting death of Devin LaSalle. Mrs. Roberson sobbed as State District Judge Louis Sturns read the verdict, a decision that surprised many inside the courtroom.
In December 2006 Darrell Roberson came home to find Tracy and LaSalle together in his pickup. When confronted, Mrs. Roberson began saying that LaSalle was raping her. Her husband, in an effort to defend his wife, shot and killed LaSalle. When the grand jury found out that Tracy Roberson was lying about the rape (which ultimately lead to LaSalle’s death) they indicted her instead of her husband.
Attorneys for the woman call the decision a “travesty” and say that she’s very, very sorry for what happened to LaSalle. Apparently she didn’t think that crying rape when caught in the act of adultery would lead to someone else’s death.
I believe this is, in fact, good for rape victims everywhere. Tracy Roberson made a terrible decision in calling her love a rapist and if Mr. Roberson hadn’t been determined to save his wife, LaSalle may have faced jail time for the fictitious crime committed against Mrs. Roberson. By indicting her for lying and causing his death, the people of Tarrant County Texas sent a message to other would-be liars. IF you lie about rape and cause someone else to suffer for your actions then you are held liable. Period.
Mrs. Roberson will no doubt appeal her conviction. Right now she is looking at up to 20 years in prison. I believe she’s fully responsible for what happened to Devin LaSalle. Her husband was only trying to protect his wife from what he saw as her attacker. He’ll have to live with the consequences of her lie forever. Ultimately, her lie could force other people to think twice before coming to the aid of real rape victims. It’s lies like hers that cause real rape victims the problems they have with the criminal justice system and society as a whole. She deserves everything she gets.
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This is interesting. I think they were right for convicting her, but I think the husband should’ve been convicted as well. Less time, but convicted nonetheless.
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I think that the husband honestly believed he was saving his wife. He believed that LaSalle was raping her and did what he thought he needed to. In Texas, it’s legal to use a firearm to protect your property and your loved ones. I think by lying, she caused LaSalle’s death and the jury was spot-on in this case.
I think the jury was right by convicting her and if it was not for her being an unfaithful wife this would have never happened..she lied rape and her husband was only trying to do his job by protecting her i dont think that the husband should be charged…if anything they should give her some hard jail time time…
How about this for Stating the Obvious: the man who pointed the gun and pulled the trigger is the one responsible for the murder. Claiming “The devil (a lie) made me do it” would only fly in Texas.
I’m sorry spriggig but I’ll have to call bullshit. The husband would have been fully within his rights to shoot a man actually raping his wife. Because his wife claimed to be being raped I can’t help but think the husband saw it in that light. Perhaps however the husband should have taken testimony and collected physical evidence at the scene in order to ascertain whether or not his wife was telling the truth. Or maybe he should have allowed his wife to continue to be what he thought was raped until the police arrived. Yes, these seem like rational responses to a love one being raped. “The devil made me do it” my ass. Can you imagine the anguish the man felt when he realized he just killed another person on the say-so of that irresponsible hag. The blood is on her hands.
Legally, it’s not okay to shoot someone unless you catch them in the act; therefore, legally, the husband is to blame. The wife is a jackass, but the husband needs to learn to control himself. Murder is never justified.
@Kayne: He did shoot the guy in the act … read the article again:
The woman deserves what she got, the husband did nothing but try to defend her.
Unless using deadly force was the only way to stop the alleged rapist from continuing to carry out the sexual assault, the husband was wrong to have shot the alleged rapist. Normally a husband would have pulled the guy out of the pickup and kicked seven shades of sh*t out of him, but not killed him. He can’t be the judge and jury, no matter how emotionally charged he was. Its up to a court of law to find the guy guilty of rape (which, unbeknown to the husband, he wasn’t).
I may not be from Texas, but if I thought someone was raping my wife and I was standing there it wouldn’t be a fighting offense. If I had a firearm I would use it. I’m not fighting some disgusting rapist, (if I thought that was what was happening), I would put him in the ground. I feel that it would only be right for my wife’s honor. Anyone who believes otherwise hasn’t known a woman who has been raped. As far as the law God bless Texas and all but I would fry here for that.
The gentleman saw his wife in danger, reacted with a force equal to murder, another man died.
I have been in the same situation, lucky for me, there were no weapons available.
I understand.