Famed TV personality Dr. Phil McGraw and best-selling author John Grisham joined the fight to save a Texas death row inmate, testifying before lawmakers just days after a last-minute legal intervention halted his execution.
Robert Roberson was set to testify after receiving an 11th-hour reprieve on Thursday, but his appearance was postponed due to a surge of legal filings and disputes. On Monday, the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence pushed back his testimony, opting instead to hear from other witnesses, according to USA Today.
The committee is evaluating whether to reform a Texas law aimed at helping those convicted using "junk science." Last week, the bipartisan panel subpoenaed Roberson in a successful effort to prevent his execution for the death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki.
His conviction was based on the now widely discredited Shaken Baby Syndrome.
McGraw, who supports the death penalty in certain situations, argued that Roberson's jury was not presented with all the facts, leading to a wrongful conviction—a view shared by numerous scientific and medical experts, as well as the lead detective on the case, who has since acknowledged his mistakes.
"I am 100 percent convinced that were facing a miscarriage of justice here," McGraw revealed to the committee about Roberson's case. "I say that because I do not believe that Mr. Roberson has had due process in this case. I do not believe he has yet enjoyed a fair trial in this matter."
John Grisham, author of The Firm and A Time to Kill and a former lawyer himself, who had previously written a column highlighting Roberson's case, also testified, voicing his belief in Roberson's innocence.
"Nikki's death was a tragedy, not a crime", Grisham wrote."
"Robert Roberson may be out of options unless Texas authorities recognize the injustice of Mr. Robertson's conviction and death sentence, reverse course, and grant him a new trial."
