The Texas Attorney General’s Office expressed strong disapproval towards lawmakers attempting to delay the execution of Robert Roberson, an autistic inmate on death row, who they argue was wrongfully convicted based on questionable scientific evidence related to “shaken baby syndrome.”
This marks the initial occasion the office has addressed the matter following the Texas Supreme Court’s decision to pause Roberson’s execution by lethal injection last week, a civil forum, after most of the inmate’s legal options had been depleted.
A subpoena for Roberson’s testimony, issued by state legislators, was enforced by the court just hours before his planned execution. The attorney general’s office is seeking a court reversal of the ruling that permits Roberson to provide testimony. The court is currently reviewing additional submissions regarding the issue.
Roberson, aged 57, faced conviction for the tragic death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis, in 2002. Authorities alleged that Roberson caused the death of his daughter through violent shaking and hitting, leading to blunt-force trauma, commonly referred to as “shaken baby syndrome.”
Nikki faced ongoing health challenges throughout her life, grappling with breathing apnea. In the days prior to her passing, Roberson sought medical attention for his daughter.
On January 31, 2002, Roberson discovered Nikki unresponsive, her lips tinged with blue. He hurried her to the hospital, but she was already exhibiting signs of fixed and dilated pupils, indicating potential brain damage. Upon her arrival at the hospital, she presented with minor bruises.
Nikki was taken to the Children’s Medical Center in Dallas, where she passed away the following day.
Officials assert that medical personnel removed her from life support without discussing it with Roberson, who held exclusive custody of Nikki at that moment. The young girl was removed from her mother’s care by Child Protective Services right after she was born. The young girl’s mother faced homelessness and struggled with addiction.
Roberson faced arrest the day after the tragic loss of his daughter and received a death sentence the next year.
A significant piece of evidence presented against Roberson in the case of his child’s harm was a “blood-soaked rag” that he handed over to investigators at his residence. During the hearing, a lawmaker unveiled a striking photo of the rag to the committee, creating a tense atmosphere.
Roberson’s lawyer argued that the minimal blood stains on the cloth might have resulted from the child’s accident. No indications of violence were discovered at the home.
Moreover, the severe injuries observed on Nikki’s body occurred following several days of rigorous emergency medical care and an incident involving a fall from a bed that was elevated on cinder blocks. Urban remarked in her statement that a shortfall might have contributed to one of Nikki’s injuries.
During the preparation of her autopsy report, she overlooked the child’s medical history, emergency room documentation, the surgical placement of a pressure monitor in Nikki’s head, and the CT scans.