Texas Supreme Court Seals Fate of Death Row Inmate Months After Execution Was Halted Last-Minute

The Texas Supreme Court has announced that the execution of Robert Roberson, which had been delayed for months amid a clemency request, is set to proceed.

Roberson was found guilty of the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, though he has consistently maintained his innocence, according to KERA News.

In its Friday ruling, the court determined that while the Texas House committee appropriately brought up a civil law issue, it exceeded its authority and encroached on the powers of other government branches by trying to postpone the execution.

House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee Chair Joe Moody, D-El Paso, and House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Chair Jeff Leach, R-Plano, stated on social media that the court's ruling ultimately validated their stance.

Roberson's defense team, along with a bipartisan coalition of Texas lawmakers, medical professionals, and others, contended that his conviction relied on flawed scientific evidence. They argued that new findings indicated Curtis's death resulted from complications of severe pneumonia rather than foul play.

Roberson, who has been on death row for more than 20 years, was convicted in 2003 of killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. His conviction was based on Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS), which has since come under scientific scrutiny.

Authorities at the time were also not aware of Roberson's autism, and part of his trial focused on his "unusual" response to his daughter's demise.

Tags

Death Row, Texas, Execution