Robert Roberson, a 57-year-old laborer from Texas, has spent two decades on death row after being convicted of killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki, who died of a severe head injury in 2002. Roberson was found guilty of shaken baby syndrome, but new evidence has raised doubts about his conviction.
Despite the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voting against commuting his death sentence to life in prison, there is growing support for Roberson’s innocence. Lead detective Brian Wharton, who testified against Roberson, now believes he is innocent after learning about his autism diagnosis.
Roberson’s lawyers argue that the autopsy report did not properly consider Nikki’s existing health conditions, including pneumonia and a prescription for Phenergan, a drug with dangerous side effects for children her age. Supporters have launched a petition urging Texas Governor Greg Abbott to intervene in the case and prevent Roberson’s execution.
The growing concern around Roberson’s case has reignited the debate about shaken baby syndrome. While traditionally seen as a legitimate cause of injury, doctors now acknowledge that other conditions can cause similar symptoms. In recent years, at least 32 people in 18 US states have been exonerated after being wrongly convicted of shaken baby syndrome.
As the legal battle continues, activists, lawmakers, and even best-selling author John Grisham are calling for clemency for Roberson. If executed, Roberson’s case would become the first in the US involving shaken baby syndrome. The outcome of his appeal could have far-reaching implications for future cases involving this controversial medical diagnosis.
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