Calls To Spare Texas Death Row Inmate Gain Momentum

Texas lawmakers meet with Robert Roberson at a prison in Livingston, Texas, Sept. 27, 2024. (Criminal Justice Reform Caucus via AP, File)

As the scheduled execution of Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson approaches, calls for clemency and a stay of execution are intensifying. Roberson, convicted of the murder of his 2-year-old daughter, is at the center of a contentious case that has raised doubts about the validity of his conviction.

Roberson's advocates argue that the conviction was based on shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis they claim was a misdiagnosis in his case and has since been discredited. They point to evidence suggesting that his daughter, Nikki Curtis, did not die from child abuse but rather from double pneumonia progressing to sepsis, exacerbated by inappropriate medications and a fall from a bed.

Furthermore, Roberson's attorneys highlight his behavior in the emergency room, which was attributed to autism spectrum disorder, a condition that was not diagnosed until 2018. They emphasize the need to consider alternative explanations for the symptoms attributed to shaking before concluding abuse as the cause of death.

Despite recent failed appeals, Roberson's legal team has filed requests for a stay of execution with the US Supreme Court and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. Additionally, they have sought clemency from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and Governor Greg Abbott, urging for a commutation of his sentence or a temporary reprieve to allow for further legal proceedings.

Evidence suggests his daughter's death was not from child abuse.

Robert Roberson's case raises doubts about shaken baby syndrome diagnosis.

Advocates highlight Roberson's undiagnosed autism spectrum disorder.

Support for Roberson's case has garnered bipartisan backing from over 80 Texas legislators, who have joined the plea for clemency. Advocates, including author John Grisham of the Innocence Project, have called for a reexamination of the evidence and a halt to the execution.

Efforts to draw attention to Roberson's case include a hearing by the Texas Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, focusing on capital punishment and the application of a law allowing for challenges based on new scientific evidence. The hope is to shed light on the circumstances surrounding Roberson's conviction and potentially secure a pause in his execution.

With time running out, the fate of Robert Roberson hangs in the balance as supporters and legal representatives continue to push for a reconsideration of his case and a potential reprieve from his scheduled execution.