A Texas man is facing the possibility of becoming the first person in the U.S. to be executed for a murder conviction linked to shaken baby syndrome. Robert Roberson, 57, is scheduled to receive a lethal injection for the 2002 killing of his 2-year-old daughter in Palestine, Texas. Roberson, who has maintained his innocence, is awaiting a decision on his request for clemency from the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles.
A bipartisan group of over 80 state lawmakers, including State Rep. Jeff Leach, has urged the parole board and Governor Greg Abbott to halt Roberson's execution. They argue that Roberson's conviction was based on outdated scientific evidence related to shaken baby syndrome. Supporters of Roberson claim that new evidence suggests the child died from complications related to severe pneumonia, not abuse.
However, medical experts and prosecutors maintain that the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is valid and that doctors consider all possible factors when determining the cause of injuries. The Anderson County District Attorney's Office, which prosecuted Roberson, asserts that a judge rejected alternative theories regarding the child's cause of death after a recent hearing.
Despite efforts by Roberson's legal team to stop the execution, an East Texas judge denied their requests to vacate the execution warrant. Governor Abbott can only grant clemency upon receiving a recommendation from the parole board, which has historically recommended clemency in death row cases only six times since 1982.
The case has garnered significant attention, with a Texas House committee convening to discuss Roberson's situation. Lawmakers hope to shed light on the case and secure a pause in the execution process. The decision on whether to recommend a commutation or reprieve for Roberson is expected to be made imminently.
