Texas Judge Blocks Execution of Man Convicted of “Shaken Baby Syndrome” Murder Charges
In a dramatic turn of events, a Texas judge has halted the execution of Robert Roberson, the first man to be put on death row in the US for murder charges related to “shaken baby syndrome”. The decision came less than two hours before the scheduled capital punishment was set to be carried out.
Roberson, 57, was sentenced to death in 2003 for the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, after a post-mortem examination concluded she died of injuries from abuse. However, Roberson, his lawyers, and supporters have long maintained that the child died of complications from pneumonia.
Prosecutors have stood by their case, insisting that new evidence does not disprove their assertion that the child died from injuries inflicted by her father.
The last-minute reprieve came after a Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order to allow Roberson to testify in a hearing at the state legislature next week. The decision followed a highly unusual subpoena issued by a Texas House panel for Roberson to appear at a hearing on October 21.
Despite the temporary halt, the Texas attorney general has filed an appeal against the restraining order. The US Supreme Court also declined to intervene to cancel the execution outright.
Roberson’s case has garnered widespread attention, with a bipartisan group of 86 Texas lawmakers, medical and scientific experts, attorneys, and others calling for clemency. They argue that the conviction was based on outdated science and a lack of understanding of “shaken baby syndrome”.
Supporters of Roberson, including lead detective Brian Wharton who investigated the incident, have expressed regret over his conviction. Wharton was quoted as saying, “I will forever be haunted by the role I played in helping the state put this innocent man on death row.”
Despite the denial of clemency by the Texas Board of Pardon and Paroles, Governor Abbott has the authority to grant a one-time 30-day reprieve. In an interview, Roberson urged Abbott to “do the right thing” and asserted his innocence.
The case has raised questions about the diagnosis of “shaken baby syndrome” and the need for a thorough examination of other potential causes of injuries before concluding abuse. While an appeals court in 2023 upheld Roberson’s conviction, his lawyers continue to argue for his innocence.
The future of Roberson’s case remains uncertain as legal battles and appeals continue to unfold.
