A Texas state decide issued a last-minute choice to remain the execution of Robert Roberson, a person convicted in a controversial shaken child syndrome case.
Roberson is believed to be the primary particular person sentenced to dying in america for an alleged homicide associated to the syndrome.
However on Thursday, with simply hours left till the sentence was to be carried out, Travis County Civil District Courtroom Choose Jessica Mangrum issued a brief restraining order to cease the execution.
Roberson was convicted of homicide in 2003 for the dying of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, a 12 months earlier.
However he has steadfastly maintained his innocence. Consultants have additionally solid doubt on the proof used to convict him, and the last-minute order has introduced reduction to those that believed the execution would characterize a miscarriage of justice.
“He is an harmless man and we’re very near killing him for one thing he did not do,” stated Brian Wharton, the lead detective who investigated Curtis’ dying. He has since grow to be a vocal advocate for commuting Roberson’s sentence.
On the middle of the case was prosecutors’ allegation that child Curtis died from shaken child syndrome, a phrase used to explain head trauma ensuing from the abuse of youngsters underneath the age of 5.
Critics, nonetheless, have dismissed shaken child syndrome as an unproven prognosis, primarily based on outdated science and research of doubtful accuracy.
In January 2002, Roberson took her daughter to an emergency room, the place scans confirmed inside mind trauma. Curtis had been sick with a fever the previous couple of days and Roberson stated he had fallen away from bed.
Some medical specialists have advised that he seemingly died on account of problems from pneumonia somewhat than abuse by Roberson, as prosecutors alleged.
His case has drawn nationwide consideration to Texas, the place a bunch together with conservative lawmakers, prison justice reform advocates and medical officers have solid doubt on Roberson’s guilt.
Roberson’s attorneys additionally argued that authorities misinterpreted their consumer’s autism signs as a scarcity of emotion after Curtis’ dying.
Prosecutors had highlighted Roberson’s seemingly stoic nature as proof of his guilt. However since his conviction, Roberson has been identified with autism, which may have an effect on the way in which folks specific themselves.
“Texas plans to execute Robert Roberson subsequent Thursday, regardless of a conviction primarily based on junk science. Even the previous detectives on his case imagine Roberson is harmless,” the state department of the American Civil Liberties Union stated in a social media put up final week.
Inform Governor Abbott to cease the execution of Robert Roberson tonight.
Roberson was convicted of junk science. The lead detective now says he needs to be freed. High Republican lawmakers need the execution to cease.
The governor can cease this. Let Abbott know: https://t.co/TSP8F7YxRy
— ACLU of Texas (@ACLUTx) October 17, 2024
Nonetheless, Thursday’s execution was halted after a committee of the Republican-controlled state Home of Representatives requested a restraining order in an effort to purchase extra time.
A number of Texas Home lawmakers, each Republicans and Democrats, had pushed for a re-examination of the case.
Nonetheless, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday rejected Roberson’s request for clemency, and the U.S. Supreme Courtroom denied a request for a keep of execution earlier on Thursday.
Robertson was scheduled to die Thursday by deadly injection at a state penitentiary in Huntsville, Texas.
Using deadly injection as a type of execution stays controversial in america and has led to quite a few “botched” efforts that critics say brought on pointless struggling to these condemned.
A 2023 Gallup ballot discovered that folks in america proceed to help the dying penalty for these convicted of homicide by a margin of 53 to 44 %. Nonetheless, 50 % of respondents stated the dying penalty was utilized unfairly, whereas 47 % stated it was utilized pretty.