In an unusual turn of events, the court granted Robert Roberson, who the court found guilty of killing his two-year-old daughter, a last-minute postponement of his scheduled execution in Texas, US.
Narrowly escapes death, for now
As reported by the BBC, Robert Roberson, 57, was set to become the first American ever put to death over murder charges associated with ‘shaken baby syndrome’. Following his scheduled lethal injection last week, authorities have put a hold on his execution.
The next step will either be a postponed execution or an extremely uncommon act of mercy by the court. Markedly, Texas has a strong stance on capital punishment.
Roberson, who the court found guilty of killing his daughter, Nikki Curtis, has already lost several appeals in the courts.
A group of lawmakers presented new scientific findings that have raised doubts about important aspects of Roberson’s conviction. Just about 90 minutes before Roberson’s execution, the House criminal jurisprudence committee obtained a temporary restraining order against the state, halting the execution process.
Experts, including Dr Phil McGraw, appear on behalf of convict
Due to security concerns, Roberson did not appear in person at the appeal on Monday, 21 October 2024.
The legislature also refused to have Roberson appear virtually because he has autism and is not familiar with modern technology after spending more than 20 years in prison.
Instead of hearing from the convict experts addressed the committee. One of these experts was the popular television host Dr Phil McGraw. According to Dr McGraw, Roberson did not receive due process or a fair trial.
“There’s no such thing as shaken baby syndrome.”
Dr Phil McGraw
He added that no clear signs of abuse were present in the Roberson case.
Is Roberson innocent?
Roberson maintains he did not kill his daughter.
His lawyers argued that his daughter had several health problems before she passed away. These included negative reactions to medications that weren’t suitable for a toddler and severe pneumonia that developed into sepsis.
Brian Wharton, the lead detective on the case, has testified that he believes Roberson to be an innocent man.
Prosecutors, however, maintain that Roberson is guilty of murder and that there is evidence that he shook and abused his daughter.
‘Everything that he continues to complain of has been litigated in state and federal court, and every court has rejected his arguments,’ said prosecutors.
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