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Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second time
Read full article: Texas House panel subpoenas death row inmate Robert Roberson a second timeThe new subpoena comes after lawmakers say Ken Paxton’s office stalled a previous effort to get Roberson’s legislative testimony about his conviction in “shaken baby” case.
Trial judge in Robert Roberson’s death row case agrees to recusal
Read full article: Trial judge in Robert Roberson’s death row case agrees to recusalSenior District Judge Deborah Oakes Evans recused herself after a challenge to her impartiality over longtime relationships with case prosecutors and judges.
Lawmakers still want to hear from death row inmate Robert Roberson
Read full article: Lawmakers still want to hear from death row inmate Robert RobersonLawmakers on the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence still want to hear from death row inmate, Robert Roberson. The committee’s chair plans to issue another subpoena for Roberson’s testimony.
Texas can schedule Robert Roberson’s execution — but lawmakers still expect his testimony first
Read full article: Texas can schedule Robert Roberson’s execution — but lawmakers still expect his testimony firstRoberson was convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in a “shaken baby” case that many say led to an innocent man’s death sentence.
Texas Supreme Court weighs in on argument over death row inmate’s delayed execution date
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court weighs in on argument over death row inmate’s delayed execution dateAs a legal chess match continues over a death row inmate’s life, the Texas Supreme Court has weighed in, saying a legislative committee that delayed Robert Roberson’s execution date did not have the power to stop a scheduled sentence.
Texas high court says execution in 'shaken baby syndrome' case can't be halted by lawmaker subpoena
Read full article: Texas high court says execution in 'shaken baby syndrome' case can't be halted by lawmaker subpoenaThe Texas Supreme Court ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot be used to stop an execution, putting a decisive end to a legal battle that halted the scheduled execution of Robert Roberson last month.
Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Roberson’s execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Roberson’s executionThe state’s highest civil court ruled that legislators can’t use subpoenas to block death row inmates’ executions, but suggested there’s still time for Roberson to testify before a Texas House panel.
Lawmakers fire back at accusations they overstepped authority in death row case
Read full article: Lawmakers fire back at accusations they overstepped authority in death row caseThis is the latest salvo in a legal battle between committee members and the Texas Attorney General and Governor’s offices.
What put a Texas death row inmate’s case back in the spotlight?
Read full article: What put a Texas death row inmate’s case back in the spotlight?Robert Roberson was set to be the first person in the U.S. to be executed on a “shaken baby syndrome” diagnosis after getting convicted for killing his 2-year-old daughter. He maintained his innocence and in October 2024, his sentence was put on a temporary pause.
Will Robert Roberson have a chance to testify? Death row inmate’s next moves lie with Texas Supreme Court
Read full article: Will Robert Roberson have a chance to testify? Death row inmate’s next moves lie with Texas Supreme CourtRobert Roberson may have had his execution date postponed, but time is running out for whether he will get to testify.
Texas lawmaker says Robert Roberson’s attorney showed up at jury foreman’s home, here’s why she did
Read full article: Texas lawmaker says Robert Roberson’s attorney showed up at jury foreman’s home, here’s why she didAs tensions continue amid a delayed execution for death row inmate, Robert Roberson, new allegations from a Texas lawmaker suggest his attorney overstepped by showing up to a jury foreman’s home.
There are warring depictions of Robert Roberson’s murder case. Here’s what to know.
Read full article: There are warring depictions of Robert Roberson’s murder case. Here’s what to know.Even before the Texas man’s death sentence became a political lightning rod, law enforcement and medical experts had differing opinions on the evidence that convicted him.
AG Paxton calls for Jeff Leach’s resignation after message sent to judge asking to consider new trial in Roberson case
Read full article: AG Paxton calls for Jeff Leach’s resignation after message sent to judge asking to consider new trial in Roberson caseTexas Attorney General Ken Paxton is calling for the resignation of State Representative Jeff Leach after his admission to sending text messages to a Texas Court of Criminal Appeals judge last week saying that death row inmate Robert Roberson deserved a new trial.
Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson case
Read full article: Ken Paxton calls on Rep. Jeff Leach to resign over texts to judge in Robert Roberson caseThe AG also said he’d make a criminal referral against the lawmaker, who apologized for texting a Court of Criminal Appeals judge about a new trial for the death row inmate.
Ken Paxton resisting Texas House members’ bid to hear Robert Roberson’s testimony
Read full article: Ken Paxton resisting Texas House members’ bid to hear Robert Roberson’s testimonyMembers of a Texas House committee say in a Texas Supreme Court filing that Paxton’s office is blocking the death row inmate from complying with a legislative subpoena.
State Rep. Jeff Leach asked Texas judge to consider a new Robert Roberson trial in apparent conduct violation
Read full article: State Rep. Jeff Leach asked Texas judge to consider a new Robert Roberson trial in apparent conduct violationLeach, one of the driving forces behind the effort to stop Roberson’s execution, later apologized to the judge, who told the lawmaker there were still pending matters before the court.
Relatives of 2-year-old victim appeal to Texas lawmakers, stressing evidence against convicted killer Robert Roberson
Read full article: Relatives of 2-year-old victim appeal to Texas lawmakers, stressing evidence against convicted killer Robert RobersonThe family of Nikki Curtis, a two-year-old murder victim, is urging Texas lawmakers to consider the full extent of evidence against Robert Roberson, who was convicted of her 2002 murder.
Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Roberson’s case
Read full article: Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Roberson’s caseAfter the attorney general insisted on the death row inmate’s guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal.
Robert Roberson’s defense team drops 27-page rebuttal after Texas AG releases autopsy report, statement
Read full article: Robert Roberson’s defense team drops 27-page rebuttal after Texas AG releases autopsy report, statementThe rebuttal focuses on what the defense team calls 12 misrepresentations by Paxton in Roberson’s case.
Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justice
Read full article: Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justiceTexas’ junk science statute has remained hamstrung for the last decade. So too have other criminal justice reforms, despite efforts from the Texas House.
After Robert Roberson’s execution delayed, Texas AG’s Office releases autopsy report, other evidence in case
Read full article: After Robert Roberson’s execution delayed, Texas AG’s Office releases autopsy report, other evidence in caseAfter the execution of death row inmate Robert Roberson was delayed, the Office of the Texas Attorney General has released the autopsy report for Roberson’s daughter, Nikki Curtis, who he was convicted of killing and sentenced to die for.
Gov. Abbott says House Committee ‘stepped out of line’ with subpoena for death row inmate
Read full article: Gov. Abbott says House Committee ‘stepped out of line’ with subpoena for death row inmateTexas Governor Greg Abbott says the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence “stepped out of line” by subpoenaing death row inmate Robert Roberson and delaying his execution.
Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify before lawmakers week after scheduled execution halted
Read full article: Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify before lawmakers week after scheduled execution haltedTexas death row inmate Robert Roberson will be praying for another miracle as he prepares to testify before lawmakers after his life was temporarily spared from his scheduled execution last week.
Robert Roberson juror says new evidence would have prevented his conviction in shaken baby case
Read full article: Robert Roberson juror says new evidence would have prevented his conviction in shaken baby caseThe death row inmate was expected to testify before a Texas House committee, but those plans were scrapped amid a dispute over whether he should appear in person or virtually.
Texas' junk science law is getting another look over Robert Roberson's case
Read full article: Texas' junk science law is getting another look over Robert Roberson's caseA man whose execution was halted will testify at a legislative hearing about a “junk science” law in Texas that many say should have saved him long ago.
As Robert Roberson’s execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silence
Read full article: As Robert Roberson’s execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silenceIt’s rare for governors to step in to halt executions. In the case of Robert Roberson, it ended up being state lawmakers who took extraordinary steps.
After Roberson ruling, upcoming Court of Criminal Appeals election in the spotlight
Read full article: After Roberson ruling, upcoming Court of Criminal Appeals election in the spotlightThree of the five judges who allowed Robert Roberson’s execution to proceed will be leaving the court after Paxton-backed primary challenges.
A legal battle spared Robert Roberson’s life, for now. Here’s what happens next.
Read full article: A legal battle spared Robert Roberson’s life, for now. Here’s what happens next.The effort to spare Roberson sparked a conflict between the executive and legislative branches that must be resolved. When it is, the death row inmate will likely be back on the path to execution.
Texas was about to execute Robert Roberson. Then a last-ditch tactic bought him more time
Read full article: Texas was about to execute Robert Roberson. Then a last-ditch tactic bought him more timeRobert Roberson, who had been set to be the first person in the U.S. to be put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, had his execution delayed after a dramatic few hours of legal wrangling among three different Texas courts.
Texas judge grants TRO to keep Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from being executed tonight
Read full article: Texas judge grants TRO to keep Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson from being executed tonightA Texas man who could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome is facing a lethal injection.
What is shaken baby syndrome, the controversial diagnosis for which Robert Roberson is set to die?
Read full article: What is shaken baby syndrome, the controversial diagnosis for which Robert Roberson is set to die?The American Academy of Pediatrics embraces the diagnosis, but courts have thrown out some cases, calling it “junk science.”
With little say over Robert Roberson’s fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more time
Read full article: With little say over Robert Roberson’s fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more timeWith Roberson’s options dwindling, a House panel used its bully pulpit to prove his case and excoriate the failures of the state’s junk science law.
Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appeal
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken baby case after lawmakers' last-minute appealThe Texas Supreme Court has halted the scheduled execution of a man who would have become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
Texas Supreme Court temporarily stops Robert Roberson’s execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court temporarily stops Robert Roberson’s executionThe state’s highest civil court said it wants a lower court to resolve a separation-of-powers issue raised by a group of Texas lawmakers who subpoenaed the death row inmate the night before he was set to be put to death.
A Texas board rejects clemency plea from a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case
Read full article: A Texas board rejects clemency plea from a man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome caseThe Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles has denied a request for clemency for a man who this week could be the first person in the U.S. executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
What to know about shaken baby syndrome as a Texas man could be first in US executed over it
Read full article: What to know about shaken baby syndrome as a Texas man could be first in US executed over itA Texas man this week could become the first person executed in the U.S. under a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome.
A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely granted
Read full article: A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely grantedTexas rarely grants clemency for death row inmates, but that's not stopping a group of bipartisan lawmakers from showing their support for a man scheduled to be executed in October.
Bipartisan Texas House majority urges clemency for man facing execution in shaken baby case
Read full article: Bipartisan Texas House majority urges clemency for man facing execution in shaken baby caseLawmakers cite new scientific evidence that they say proves Robert Roberson, who is set for execution on Oct. 17, did not kill his daughter.
When the science crumbles, Texas law says a conviction could, too. That rarely happens.
Read full article: When the science crumbles, Texas law says a conviction could, too. That rarely happens.Texas’ 2013 law that allows for new trials in cases with flawed scientific evidence was pioneering. But the state’s highest criminal court has rejected most of those challenges.
Texas’ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby case
Read full article: Texas’ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby caseLawyers for Robert Roberson say the science used to sentence him to death is questionable and that prior health issues could explain the death of his 2-year-old daughter in 2002.
Questions about validity of shaken baby syndrome not enough to give Texas death row inmate new trial, court rules
Read full article: Questions about validity of shaken baby syndrome not enough to give Texas death row inmate new trial, court rulesRobert Roberson was sentenced to death for killing his 2-year-old daughter. Experts have since backtracked on the science used in part to win his conviction.