Robert Roberson execution halted amid shaken baby syndrome doubts
Execution delayed for Roberson as doubts cast on shaken baby syndrome evidence
Robert Roberson, facing execution based on the now-discredited “shaken baby syndrome” hypothesis, received a temporary reprieve just hours before his scheduled death.
Roberson had filed a last-minute request for a stay and a petition with the Supreme Court, which were denied without any dissents on Thursday. Despite the Supreme Court’s decision, a Travis County Judge ordered a temporary hold on his execution to allow Roberson to testify in an upcoming legislative hearing.
The Texas attorney general’s office plans to appeal this decision. However, with the execution warrant valid only until October 17, Roberson’s execution is likely postponed. He is set to appear before Texas lawmakers with the House Committee on Monday.
Just hours before he was set to be put to death, a Texas judge halted the execution of Robert Roberson, who would have been the first person in the U.S. to be die by lethal injection in a case of "shaken baby syndrome." @ABCMireya has the latest. https://t.co/R4EgbfEpdN pic.twitter.com/N80DVdIJc4
— World News Tonight (@ABCWorldNews) October 18, 2024
Roberson argued to the Supreme Court that his federal due process rights were breached when Texas’ highest court refused to reconsider his case in light of “substantial new scientific and medical evidence.” This plea followed the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles’ denial of his requests to either commute his sentence to life imprisonment or delay his execution.
Roberson was convicted of murdering his 2-year-old daughter based on a pediatrician’s testimony about brain swelling and hemorrhages, which supported a “shaken baby syndrome” diagnosis. This diagnosis has been heavily scrutinised, with limited credible evidence backing it. The medical examiner at the time also suspected multiple head injuries and ruled the death a homicide.
Roberson’s legal team pointed out that he is autistic, affecting his emotional expression, an issue raised during the trial. Newly presented evidence revealed that Nikki had pneumonia when she died and had been prescribed respiratory-suppressing drugs shortly before her death. A medical expert reexamined her lung tissue and found chronic interstitial viral pneumonia and acute bacterial pneumonia, leading to sepsis, septic shock, and likely organ failure.
Over 30 medical and scientific experts have urged the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to reconsider Roberson’s sentence, arguing it relied on the flawed “shaken baby syndrome” hypothesis. A bipartisan group of 86 Texas House Representatives has also supported Roberson’s clemency request, citing a state law that allows reviews of wrongful convictions based on new scientific evidence. They believe the new evidence should have warranted a new trial for Roberson.
In its statement opposing Roberson’s plea to the Supreme Court, Texas argued that there has been no constitutional violation justifying intervention. The state claimed its courts had thoroughly reviewed and rejected Roberson’s requests, noting the multiple traumas suffered by the victim were inconsistent with a short fall from a bed or viral complications.
What Other Media Are Saying
- PBS News Hour reports on an extraordinary judicial intervention by Texas lawmakers to delay the execution of Robert Roberson, citing concerns of his innocence and faulty scientific evidence.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Why was Robert Roberson’s execution postponed?
A Travis County Judge ordered a temporary hold to allow Roberson to testify in a legislative hearing.
What is ‘shaken baby syndrome’ and why is it controversial?
‘Shaken baby syndrome’ is a diagnosis for brain injuries in infants, now heavily scrutinized for lacking credible evidence.
What new medical evidence was presented in Roberson’s case?
New evidence showed that Roberson’s daughter had pneumonia and was on respiratory-suppressing drugs, leading to sepsis and likely organ failure.
Why did Roberson argue his federal due process rights were violated?
He claimed Texas’ highest court refused to reconsider his case despite substantial new scientific and medical evidence.
What was the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles’ stance on Roberson’s clemency request?
They denied his requests to commute his sentence or delay his execution, despite support from medical experts and lawmakers.
