Innocent Black man to be executed by white supremacist state.

Texas' Racist Justice System Sends Innocent Black Man to Death Row, Plans to Execute in October

URL: https://abc13.com/robert-roberson-execution-date-innocence-project-shaken-baby-syndrome/12111541

A Texas judge has set an execution date for Robert Roberson, a Black man accused of killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki. Roberson's legal team, the Innocence Project, argues that the "shaken baby syndrome" diagnosis used to convict him has been disproved, and that Roberson is innocent.

Mr. Roberson languishes on death row because Texas courts have ignored advancements in science and compelling new medical evidence ... that proves his innocence. (Innocence Project)

The Injustice of Robert Roberson's Story

Nikki, born to a homeless woman in 1999, was voluntarily transferred to Roberson's custody in Nov. 2001. She suffered from chronic illness and frequent infections, and was diagnosed with a respiratory illness two days before her death in Jan. 2002.

Roberson, who has autism spectrum disorder, took Nikki to the ER after finding her unconscious. Medical staff presumed his guilt due to his unemotional behavior, and law enforcement was contacted. A medical opinion, determined she died from "shaken baby syndrome," and Roberson was arrested before an official autopsy. The autopsy report claimed "blunt force head injury," resulting from shaking and blows.

A Sham Trial and 20 Years of Appeals

Roberson's trial featured a prosecution case hinging on a now-disproved "shaken baby" triad of symptoms, and included highly prejudicial testimony implying sexual abuse. His trial lawyers were unable to argue for his innocence due to contemporary medical consensus. Roberson was found guilty of capital murder and sentenced to death in Feb. 2003.

For 20 years, I have thought that something went very wrong in Mr. Roberson's case and feared that justice was not served. I am convinced that Mr. Roberson is innocent. (Brian Wharton, former lead detective)

Roberson's appeals and writs of habeas corpus were denied. In 2016, he filed a new writ based on changed scientific evidence, which granted him a stay of execution. Despite this, his appeals were denied by the habeas court, appeals court, and the Supreme Court. A Texas judge has now set his execution date for Oct. 17, 2023.

A Community Fights for Justice

The Innocence Project, public figures, and Roberson's community speak out against his treatment. A petition to stop his execution has gained nearly 13,000 signatures. If executed, Roberson would be the first person killed due to a "shaken baby syndrome" diagnosis.

The state of Texas has once again shown its true colors, prioritizing vengeance over justice, and actively ignoring scientific evidence and common humanity.