A Texas House committee has unanimously voted to subpoena death row inmate Robert Roberson, who is scheduled to receive a lethal injection for the alleged 2002 killing of his 2-year-old daughter. Roberson's case involves the controversial issue of shaken baby syndrome, a serious brain injury caused by violent shaking or impact to a child's head.
Despite doubts surrounding the evidence in the case, Roberson was denied clemency for the death penalty. The subpoena, issued with the assistance of committee members Brian Harris, Joe Moody, David Cook, Nate Schatzline, Drew Darby, and Rhetta Andrews Bowers, requests Roberson to provide relevant testimony and information for the committee's inquiry.
Roberson's lawyers, along with a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers, medical experts, and others, have urged Governor Greg Abbott to halt Roberson's execution. They argue that Roberson's conviction was based on faulty and outdated scientific evidence related to shaken baby syndrome.
Gretchen Sween, one of Roberson's attorneys, has called for a 30-day reprieve to allow for further litigation and consideration of new medical and scientific evidence that suggests Roberson's daughter died of natural and accidental causes, not abuse.
While Abbott can only grant clemency with a board recommendation, he does have the authority to issue a one-time 30-day reprieve without such a recommendation. This unexpected development offers Roberson a potential lifeline after facing a series of court rejections.
The hearing to review Roberson's case is scheduled for October 21, with uncertainty remaining as to whether the execution will proceed as planned on Thursday.
