A man on death row for over 20 years had his execut!on via lethal injection halted just two hours before it was scheduled on Thursday, October 17. Robert Roberson, aged 57, was denied clemency earlier in the week despite new evidence suggesting his two-year-old daughter Nikki’s death in 2002 was due to “severe, undiagnosed pneumonia” rather than abuse by her father.
At his home in Palestine, East Texas, Roberson was caring for his daughter, who he said had fallen out of bed earlier. He took her to a local emergency room on January 31, 2002, where doctors noted a “blue color to her skin,” according to The Guardian. Medical staff also observed the girl had facial bruising, a subdural hematoma, and severe head injuries. After Nikki was pronounced dead, her father was arrested by Detective Brian Wharton.
Doctors alerted the police due to Roberson’s apparent lack of emotion about his daughter’s illness and subsequent death. Prosecutors convinced the jury of Roberson’s guilt by arguing it was a case of ‘shaken baby syndrome’ (SBS), a condition now largely discredited as “junk science” in the medical field, as noted by ABC News.
Roberson’s lawyers have vigorously contested the SBS claim, pointing out that Nikki had been prescribed medicines unsuitable for children, such as Phenergan and codeine, before her death. After the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles initially denied clemency, the Texas Supreme Court has granted a temporary stay. Ninety minutes before the planned execution at the Texas State Penitentiary at Huntsville, a Travis County judge issued a temporary restraining order to halt the execution, as reported by BBC News.
A legislative hearing is scheduled for next week, giving Roberson a chance to testify to his innocence, which he has consistently maintained since his 2003 sentencing.
“For 22 years, this man has been held in prison—on death row—and we’re hoping that with this ruling today we’ll be able to bring light and get to the truth,” Texas State spokesperson John Bucy told reporters, according to ABC News.
The US Supreme Court did not step in to cancel the execution after the last-minute reprieve on Thursday, as noted by the BBC. In response, the Texas attorney general has filed an appeal against the temporary restraining order.
After the sudden halt of his execution, Roberson expressed being “shocked” by the decision but has “praised God,” “thanked his supporters,” and maintained his innocence, stated Amanda Hernandez, director of communications for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, during a news conference. If Roberson’s execution proceeds, it would be the 19th execution in 2024.