Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson narrowly escaped execution last night, thanks to a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers who intervened in his case. He was set to be the first person in the country to be executed based on evidence of what was formerly known as “shaken baby syndrome.”
Efforts to stop Roberson’s execution escalated into a battle between Texas government branches, with a state House committee issuing a subpoena for him to testify. This move led to a temporary stay of execution, which was later lifted by the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. However, Texas legislators filed an emergency motion with the Texas Supreme Court, which granted an injunction to halt Roberson’s execution.
This series of events unfolded just hours before Roberson’s scheduled execution by lethal injection.
Roberson’s case has sparked intense debate due to doubts surrounding shaken baby syndrome convictions. He was convicted in 2003 of murdering his daughter based on shaken baby syndrome evidence, which has since been disputed. Advances in science and new autopsy records suggest a different cause of death for his daughter.
Supporters of Roberson’s innocence include a former detective, novelist John Grisham, and Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor. The Texas House lawmakers played a crucial role in ensuring Roberson’s case was reexamined.
Roberson’s reprieve highlights the flaws in Texas’ handling of innocence claims and outdated forensic methods. Despite a law allowing inmates to challenge convictions based on such methods, no death row inmate in Texas has successfully obtained relief through it.
The legal battle for Roberson’s life continues, with lawmakers ensuring that his case is thoroughly examined. His testimony before the state legislature could shed light on the flaws in the criminal justice system that almost led to his execution.
