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Robert Roberson files first new appeal since his execution was delayed
Read full article: Robert Roberson files first new appeal since his execution was delayedThe appeal includes new testimony from experts who say Robersonโs daughter died of natural causes, and cites the courtโs exoneration of a man in another shaken baby syndrome case out of Dallas County.
Texas legislators seek more protections for death penalty defendants in wake of Trump executive order
Read full article: Texas legislators seek more protections for death penalty defendants in wake of Trump executive orderTrumpโs new directive that aims to increase death sentences clashes with some Texas lawmakersโ efforts to add guardrails to capital punishment.
Fewer Texans sentenced to death, executed amid โevolving standards of decencyโ
Read full article: Fewer Texans sentenced to death, executed amid โevolving standards of decencyโTexas continues to lead other states on capital punishment. But the decline in new death sentences and executions reached a record low.
Texas House panel may never hear Robert Robersonโs testimony after new legal move
Read full article: Texas House panel may never hear Robert Robersonโs testimony after new legal moveAttorney General Ken Paxton sought to delay legal proceedings until Jan. 13 โ the day before the committee disbands โ even as lawmakers vowed to continue fighting to hear from Roberson.
Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifying
Read full article: Attorney General Ken Paxton files motion to block death row inmate Robert Roberson from testifyingThe motion escalates a tense standoff between Paxton and a bipartisan Texas House committee, which had subpoenaed Roberson to testify at the Capitol on Friday.
US carries out 25 executions this year as death penalty trends in nation held steady
Read full article: US carries out 25 executions this year as death penalty trends in nation held steadyThe number of executions in the U.S. remained near historic lows in 2024 and was mostly carried out in a small group of states.
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 Paxtonโs office stalled a previous effort to get Robersonโs legislative testimony about his conviction in โshaken babyโ case.
Trial judge in Robert Robersonโs death row case agrees to recusal
Read full article: Trial judge in Robert Robersonโs 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 committeeโs chair plans to issue another subpoena for Robersonโs testimony.
Texas can schedule Robert Robersonโs execution โ but lawmakers still expect his testimony first
Read full article: Texas can schedule Robert Robersonโs execution โ but lawmakers still expect his testimony firstRoberson was convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter in a โshaken babyโ case that many say led to an innocent manโs death sentence.
Texas Supreme Court weighs in on argument over death row inmateโs delayed execution date
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court weighs in on argument over death row inmateโs delayed execution dateAs a legal chess match continues over a death row inmateโs life, the Texas Supreme Court has weighed in, saying a legislative committee that delayed Robert Robersonโs 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 Robersonโs execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court removes temporary block to Robert Robersonโs executionThe stateโs highest civil court ruled that legislators canโt use subpoenas to block death row inmatesโ executions, but suggested thereโs 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 Governorโs offices.
What put a Texas death row inmateโs case back in the spotlight?
Read full article: What put a Texas death row inmateโs case back in the spotlight?Robert Roberson was set to be the first person in the U.S. to be executed on a โshaken baby syndromeโ 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 inmateโs next moves lie with Texas Supreme Court
Read full article: Will Robert Roberson have a chance to testify? Death row inmateโs 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.
Paxtonโs picks cement Republicansโ hold on Texasโ highest criminal court
Read full article: Paxtonโs picks cement Republicansโ hold on Texasโ highest criminal courtThree new faces will join the bench, but the political balance of power will remain the same on the Court of Criminal Appeals.
Texas lawmaker says Robert Robersonโs attorney showed up at jury foremanโs home, hereโs why she did
Read full article: Texas lawmaker says Robert Robersonโs attorney showed up at jury foremanโs home, hereโs 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 foremanโs home.
There are warring depictions of Robert Robersonโs murder case. Hereโs what to know.
Read full article: There are warring depictions of Robert Robersonโs murder case. Hereโs what to know.Even before the Texas manโs 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 Leachโs resignation after message sent to judge asking to consider new trial in Roberson case
Read full article: AG Paxton calls for Jeff Leachโs 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 heโd 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 membersโ bid to hear Robert Robersonโs testimony
Read full article: Ken Paxton resisting Texas House membersโ bid to hear Robert Robersonโs testimonyMembers of a Texas House committee say in a Texas Supreme Court filing that Paxtonโs 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 Robersonโs 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 Robersonโs case
Read full article: Ken Paxton and Texas House members accuse each other of mischaracterizing Robert Robersonโs caseAfter the attorney general insisted on the death row inmateโs guilt in a graphic press release, four lawmakers issued a point-by-point rebuttal.
Robert Robersonโs defense team drops 27-page rebuttal after Texas AG releases autopsy report, statement
Read full article: Robert Robersonโs 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 Robersonโs case.
Robert Robersonโs case spotlights Texasโ GOP divide on criminal justice
Read full article: Robert Robersonโs case spotlights Texasโ GOP divide on criminal justiceTexasโ 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 Robersonโs execution delayed, Texas AGโs Office releases autopsy report, other evidence in case
Read full article: After Robert Robersonโs execution delayed, Texas AGโs 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 Robersonโs daughter, Nikki Curtis, who he was convicted of killing and sentenced to die for.
Gov. Abbott says House Committee โstepped out of lineโ with subpoena for death row inmate
Read full article: Gov. Abbott says House Committee โstepped out of lineโ with subpoena for death row inmateTexas Governor Greg Abbott says the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence โstepped out of lineโ 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 โjunk scienceโ law in Texas that many say should have saved him long ago.
As Robert Robersonโs execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silence
Read full article: As Robert Robersonโs execution neared, Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silenceItโs 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 Robersonโs execution to proceed will be leaving the court after Paxton-backed primary challenges.
A legal battle spared Robert Robersonโs life, for now. Hereโs what happens next.
Read full article: A legal battle spared Robert Robersonโs life, for now. Hereโs 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 โjunk science.โ
With little say over Robert Robersonโs fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more time
Read full article: With little say over Robert Robersonโs fate, Texas lawmakers take extraordinary steps to buy him more timeWith Robersonโs options dwindling, a House panel used its bully pulpit to prove his case and excoriate the failures of the stateโs 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 Robersonโs execution
Read full article: Texas Supreme Court temporarily stops Robert Robersonโs executionThe stateโs 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.Texasโ 2013 law that allows for new trials in cases with flawed scientific evidence was pioneering. But the stateโs highest criminal court has rejected most of those challenges.
Texasโ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby case
Read full article: Texasโ 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.