A unanimous vote by a Texas House committee has successfully summoned a death row inmate who was scheduled to die by lethal injection for the 2002 murder of his 2-year-old daughter.
Robert Roberson's request for clemency from the death penalty in the “Shaken Baby Syndrome” case was denied, despite questionable evidence in the case.
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The subpoena issued to Roberson, who could be the first person to be executed in the United States for shaking an infant to death, requires him to “provide all relevant testimony and information regarding the commission's investigation.”
Texas board denies leniency to man facing death penalty in infant's shocking death
Mr. Roberson's scheduled execution has reignited the debate about shaken baby syndrome. Shaken baby syndrome refers to severe brain damage that occurs when a child's head is injured by being shaken or other violent impact.
Texas state lawmakers meet with Robert Roberson at a prison in Livingston, Texas, on September 27, 2024. (Deputies on Criminal Justice Reform via AP)
A bipartisan group of Roberson's lawyers, Texas lawmakers, medical experts and others called on Gov. Greg Abbott to halt Roberson's execution. They claim his conviction was based on false and outdated scientific evidence about shaken baby syndrome.
“We are asking Governor Abbott to allow the lawsuit to continue based on overwhelming new medical and scientific evidence that Robert Roberson's chronically ill 2-year-old daughter Nikki died of natural causes and an accident. We ask that you give us 30 days to bring this matter to court. It's the cause, not the abuse,” Gretchen Sween, one of Roberson's attorneys, said in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“Probation of Execution Prompts Texas Lawmakers To Allow Inmates To Challenge Convictions Based On Science That Turns Out To Be Disproved Or False But it also gives the courts time to investigate why it is not being applied as intended.
Texas death row inmate's lawyer says 'no crime committed' as he makes last effort to save life
Cassandra Rivera (left), Anna Vasquez (second from left), and Elizabeth Ramirez (center) of the San Antonio 4 group speak with Greg at the Texas State Capitol calling for a pardon for Robert Roberson. He holds a box containing a petition to Texas Governor Abbott. The execution took place on Wednesday, October 16, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Nadia Lathan)
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Abbott can only grant clemency after receiving a recommendation from the board. However, Mr. Abbott has the power to grant a one-time 30-day grace period without the board's recommendation.
The unexpected turn of events may give Roberson one last chance to break the odds after a series of court rejections. A hearing is scheduled for Oct. 21, but the state Department of Criminal Justice did not announce Thursday whether the execution will be postponed.
