
Retired state District Judge Deborah Oakes Evan Evans, who signed Robert Roberson's execution warrant earlier this year, recused herself from the case last week, citing no specific reason. The unexpected move has surprised Roberson's defense team and may provide them with additional time to pursue efforts to halt the execution.
Evans oversaw Roberson's 2016 legal challenge after a stay of execution and recommended denying all relief following a nine-day hearing. Evans retired in 2022 but was reassigned to the case in 2024, when she set Roberson's execution date for Oct. 17, 2024.