Lawmakers Urge Clemency for Texas Death Row Inmate

Robert Roberson, a Texas man on Death Row for over two decades, is scheduled for execution on October 17 for the alleged murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki. Convicted in 2003 based on shaken baby syndrome (SBS), Roberson has consistently proclaimed his innocence, claiming Nikki fell from the bed and was not abused. Recent developments have seen a bipartisan group of 86 Texas lawmakers and the Board of Pardons and Paroles urging Governor Greg Abbott to grant clemency, citing new evidence that questions the validity of the SBS diagnosis in Roberson's case. Medical professionals initially believed Nikki's injuries were indicative of child abuse, but Roberson's attorneys assert she suffered from chronic health issues that could account for her symptoms. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals previously halted Roberson's execution in 2016 but has now allowed it to proceed, leading to renewed calls for review of his case. With the execution date approaching, the question of Roberson's guilt and the fairness of his conviction remains a contentious issue.