The Texas Supreme Court has halted the execution of Robert Roberson, a man convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter, following a series of legal maneuvers prompted by a bipartisan group of Texas House members. The court's decision was based on a procedural issue regarding a subpoena for Mr. Roberson to testify before the Legislature, rather than the specifics of his case.
The execution was scheduled to occur at a prison in Huntsville and would have marked the first execution in a case linked to shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis that has been increasingly scrutinized by experts in the field. The delay means that a new execution date will need to be set.
Legislators Jeff Leach, a Republican, and Joe Moody, a Democrat, expressed gratitude to the Texas Supreme Court and emphasized their intent to allow Mr. Roberson to share his story. They stated their hope that this would provide an opportunity for the truth to emerge.
Despite appeals to both the U.S. Supreme Court and Texas Governor Greg Abbott for a reprieve, neither intervened. The U.S. Supreme Court, while declining to stay the execution, suggested that Governor Abbott could grant a temporary reprieve to allow for further examination of the case.
Mr. Roberson's conviction has garnered national attention due to concerns regarding the role of the shaken baby syndrome diagnosis. His legal team argues that his daughter, Nikki, likely died from pneumonia exacerbated by medication, rather than from any act of violence.
Supporters of Mr. Roberson, including his lawyer Gretchen Sween, praised the actions of the Texas lawmakers and expressed optimism about the case's potential impact on the criminal justice system.
Shaken baby syndrome has historically been used as evidence in criminal convictions, but its reliability has come under increasing scrutiny. Mr. Roberson's lawyers maintain that his autism, diagnosed after his trial, contributed to the perception of his guilt due to his demeanor during the investigation.
A significant number of Texas House members have called for a review of Mr. Roberson's case, and even the detective involved in his conviction has expressed doubts about his guilt. The case has also drawn support from public figures advocating for justice in light of ongoing concerns about the legal process.
As legal proceedings move forward, the matter will return to a district court in Travis County, where the Texas attorney general will represent the executive branch against the legislative intervention. The attorney general's office had previously opposed requests for a stay of execution, citing evidence from the original trial.
Mr. Roberson's execution had previously been delayed in 2016 to allow for new medical evidence to be presented, but subsequent appeals have been denied, emphasizing the ongoing complexities surrounding his case and the contentious nature of the shaken baby syndrome diagnosis.