AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The mother of a suburban Dallas homemaker on death row for the 1996 murder of her son says an appeals court ruling in her daughter's case today "is an answer to a prayer."

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals today cleared the way for DNA testing in the case of Darlie Routier.

Her mother, Darlie Kee, tells The Associated Press, quote, "I'm not a scientist. But I know my daughter is innocent."

The appeals court in Austin ruled that Routier should be allowed to have DNA testing done on blood stains, hairs and dark flakes of what could be dried blood found at the crime scene.

Routier's previous appeals to the court had been denied, but state law allows for post-conviction DNA testing in some cases.

Routier has denied responsibility for the stabbing deaths of her 5- and 6-year-old sons in the family's Rowlett home. She says an intruder killed the boys and left her wounded.

Routier was condemned over the killing of the younger boy Damon. The older victim was Devon Routier.