The 57-year-old was diagnosed with autism in 2018 after 15 years in prison. Although the death sentence has been overturned, the defendant will remain detained pending review.
The Supreme Court of Texaslocated in the southern United States, has decided stay the execution of Robert Robersonscheduled for this Thursday, after a last-minute urgent request. Roberson, convicted of death of his two-year-old daughter in 2002has persistently fought to prove his innocence in the case.
Judge Evan Young, of the state’s highest court, accepted the request presented by both Democratic and Republican legislators to allow Roberson to appear before a state House committee that will review your situation. Although the death sentence has been suspended, Roberson will remain detained pending review.
The defense celebrates the court ruling
Gretchen Sween, Roberson’s defense attorney, expressed her excitement following the court’s decision. “The team fighting for Robert is elated, since finally a group of legislators has decided to examine his case in depth, something that no court has done until now. “This shows that his life is worth continuing to fight for,” Sween said. He added: “Robert lives to fight another day.”
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Courtesy AFP
After knowing the judicial resolution, Roberson, 57, expressed gratitude to God and his followersaccording to a spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. Roberson, who Diagnosed with autism in 2018 after 15 years in prison, he was sentenced for the death of his daughter Nikki, who arrived at the hospital in serious condition with injuries that, according to the prosecution, were caused by violent shaking by the father.
Roberson’s defense maintains that the initial diagnosis was incorrect and argues that the little girl died due to a pneumonia aggravated by inadequate medical treatment. “The theory that Nikki’s death was the result of abuse, in the form of violent shaking or hitting, was based on medical assumptions of the time that have been disproved by modern science“said Sween.
Recently, the Texas Pardon Committee unanimously rejected lawyers’ request to recommend a pardon to Governor Greg Abbott, who, although he did not have the authority to grant it without the committee’s support, could postpone the execution for 30 days, a decision that he didn’t get to take. Likewise, the Supreme Court of the United States, with a conservative majority, also denied an appeal to stay the execution.
Unexpected support
The case has attracted the attention of organizations such as the Innocence Project, which works to reverse wrongful convictions. Interestingly, among those who support Roberson’s cause is Brian Wharton, the former detective who led the initial investigation. “With what I know now, I am convinced that Robert is innocent“Wharton declared at a recent conference. “I will always carry on my conscience the role I played in sending an innocent man to death row,” she added.
Kate Judson, from the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences, highlighted that More than 30 parents and caregivers in 18 US states have been acquitted after being convicted under the unscientific “shaken baby” theory. To date, so far this year, 20 people have been executed in the United States.
Source: Ambito
I am an author and journalist who has worked in the entertainment industry for over a decade. I currently work as a news editor at a major news website, and my focus is on covering the latest trends in entertainment. I also write occasional pieces for other outlets, and have authored two books about the entertainment industry.
