Last-Minute Halt to Robert Roberson’s Execution

The impending execution of Robert Roberson, a Texas man with autism who was convicted of murdering his 2-year-old daughter, has been unexpectedly postponed. This shocking turn of events arose from a groundbreaking legal maneuver initiated by a bipartisan group of Texas House members. These lawmakers raised significant doubts regarding the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, which played a crucial role in securing his conviction.

On October 17, the date set for his execution, the legislators effectively intervened by issuing a subpoena compelling Mr. Roberson to testify before them. This legislative action is highly unusual and unprecedented; the Texas Supreme Court noted that there are no existing legal precedents on how to respond to such a legislative subpoena in the context of an imminent execution. Consequently, the court intervened to block the subpoena just moments before Mr. Roberson was scheduled to be executed.

While Mr. Roberson remains on death row, the judicial system is now tasked with determining the appropriate response to the Legislature’s request. Notably, the judges have clarified that their review will not encompass the broader issue of whether Mr. Roberson’s conviction should ultimately be overturned. Nevertheless, advocates for Mr. Roberson are optimistic that this unexpected delay may provide a crucial opportunity for re-evaluating the evidence surrounding his case.

In what promises to be a remarkable session, Mr. Roberson is slated to appear in person before a Texas House committee at noon Central Time on Monday.

Who is Robert Roberson?

Robert Roberson’s life has been marked by challenges. He dropped out of high school and has a record of nonviolent offenses. Prior to his conviction, he worked as a newspaper delivery person in the small town of Palestine, Texas. According to his legal representatives, he had gained custody of his young daughter, Nikki, in the autumn of 2001.

Tragically, a few months later, in January 2002, Mr. Roberson experienced a nightmarish event. His lawyers recount that he was asleep at home with Nikki when he awoke to find her unresponsive, her skin turning blue. In the days leading up to this incident, Nikki had been suffering from a high fever, necessitating multiple visits to doctors and the emergency room. She had been prescribed medications, including codeine and Phenergan, to manage her condition. Adding to the distress, it was reported that she had fallen out of bed earlier that night.