With his execution halted, will Robert Roberson finally have a chance at justice as new evidence, legislative allies, and a growing public outcry push for a retrial?
Robert Roberson, who was set to be executed on October 17, 2024, for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki, was granted a last-minute stay by the Texas Supreme Court. This unexpected reprieve followed a subpoena from Texas lawmakers requesting Roberson's testimony before the House Criminal Justice Committee. Roberson's conviction heavily relied on the now-disputed "shaken baby syndrome" diagnosis, but new evidence suggests Nikki's death may have resulted from natural causes, like pneumonia. Both the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously declined to intervene, and the Supreme Court's decision has sparked debate over the balance of power between Texas's legislative and judicial branches. The case has drawn national attention, bolstered by support from Dr. Phil, who testified before the Texas Legislature on Roberson's behalf. The debate has also reignited scrutiny of forensic evidence standards and Texas's 2013 "junk science" law as lawmakers and courts reconsider Roberson's fate. Dr. Phil speaks with Terre, a 2003 juror from Roberson's trial who now believes in his innocence, stating she wasn't presented with all the evidence. Roberson's attorney, Gretchen Sween, insists that, despite opposition from the Attorney General's office, he deserves a new trial. In support, Representatives Joe Moody (D), Lacey Hull (R), and Brian Harrison (R) have joined forces in a bipartisan coalition advocating for clemency and a retrial. Former Los Angeles prosecutor and news anchor Loni Coombs argues that if the Attorney General is confident in Roberson's guilt, they should welcome a retrial to resolve lingering doubts once and for all.
