What is shaken baby syndrome, the controversial diagnosis for which Robert Roberson is set to die?
The American Academy of Pediatrics embraces the diagnosis, but courts have thrown out some cases, calling it “junk science.” Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/b93cd8fe8dd4d8e2d42892db93a974de/Midwife%2002%20TT.jpg)
-
![A midwife cares for a newborn baby.]()
Credit: Natalia Ojewska for The Texas Tribune -
With little say over Robert Roberson’s fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more time
With Roberson’s options dwindling, a House panel used its bully pulpit to prove his case and excoriate the failures of the state’s junk science law. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/3fbc3fd4f03b17062879031950300b71/Robert%20Roberson%20SK%20TT%2005.jpg)
![Robert Roberson seeks a new trial for the 2003 conviction of the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis in Palestine on Aug. 14, 2018. His attorneys are asking for a new trial based on new findings they say debunk the flawed science presented in the original trial.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas judge says state can’t execute Robert Roberson, but attorney general plans to swiftly appeal
The Supreme Court declined to step in but Justice Sonia Sotomayor asked Gov. Greg Abbott to issue a 30-day reprieve. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/e11e105528c3a5339f9a450f6be0bc12/Criminal%20Jurisprudence%20SF%20TT%2008.jpg)
![Former Detective Brian Wharton testifies during a Criminal Jurisprudence hearing on death row inmate Robert Roberson on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024 in Austin. Wharton was an investigator in the case of the death of Nikki Roberson and has expressed his doubts about Roberson's guilt and agrees with stopping his execution.]()
Credit: Sergio Flores for The Texas Tribune
-
Robert Roberson’s final efforts to stop Texas execution dwindle as support for clemency grows
Few options to avoid death remain for the Palestine man, who is set to be executed Thursday on the basis of a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/f1f64241c4d6170d5baf1d796f00eea5/01%20Death%20Chamber%20TDCJ%20GR%20TT.jpg)
![Interior of Death Chamber in Texas.]()
Credit: Jenevieve Robbins/Texas Department of Criminal Justice -
Bipartisan Texas House majority urges clemency for man facing execution in shaken baby case
Lawmakers cite new scientific evidence that they say proves Robert Roberson, who is set for execution on Oct. 17, did not kill his daughter. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/cef9f7c2eb4311fde8f61f0b7843513d/Robert_Roberson_hearing_1_SK_TT.jpg)
![Robert Roberson seeks a new trial for the 2003 conviction of the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in Palestine, Texas on August 14, 2018.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Texas’ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby case
Lawyers for Robert Roberson say the science used to sentence him to death is questionable and that prior health issues could explain the death of his 2-year-old daughter in 2002. Full Story
/https://static.texastribune.org/media/files/7e0e20770ab63bc74e09c99b2d79607c/Robert_Roberson_hearing_2_SK_TT.jpg)
![Robert Roberson in court for the review of his 2003 conviction in the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in Palestine on August 14, 2018. His attorneys are asking for a new trial based on new scientific evidence.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune -
Questions about validity of shaken baby syndrome not enough to give Texas death row inmate new trial, court rules
Robert Roberson was sentenced to death for killing his 2-year-old daughter. Experts have since backtracked on the science used in part to win his conviction. Full Story
![Robert Roberson seeks a new trial for the 2003 conviction of the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in Palestine, Texas on August 14, 2018.]()
Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune