A Texas inmate, who has been on death row for over two decades, is facing execution in a few days despite ongoing debates about the scientific evidence used in his conviction.
Robert Roberson was sentenced to death more than 20 years ago after the 2002 death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki.
Prosecutors at the time alleged that Nikki had succumbed to shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis attributed to severe brain injury resulting from violent shaking or impact.
Although Roberson has consistently professed his innocence, he was sentenced to death. Last year, the Texas Board of Parole declined to recommend clemency, clearing the path for his execution.
Roberson is slated for execution on October 16, yet questions about his conviction persist, highlighted in a new podcast by Lester Holt, who visited Texas to interview Roberson.
The podcast, called The Last Appeal, was featured on Today, where Holt discussed how the scientific understanding of shaken baby syndrome has been ‘undermined’.
On the show, Holt stated: “There is growing evidence that other things … can cause shaken baby, or the effects that [doctors] were talking about.”
Holt’s statements align with the arguments from Roberson’s attorneys, who argue his conviction relied on what is now considered outdated scientific evidence.
The attorneys claim that new information indicates Nikki’s death resulted from severe pneumonia complications and improper medication prescribed by medical professionals.
Gretchen Swen, one of Roberson’s lawyers, commented on the podcast: “The symptoms seen years ago as diagnostic of shaking are actually caused by a host of things.”
Holt further stated in the podcast: “The jury was never told that Nikki was a terribly ill child. She’d been seen by doctors more than 40 times in her short life, and in the days leading to her death Nikki had a 104.5 degree fever.”
Brian Wharton, the former lead detective in Nikki’s case, is among those supporting Roberson’s plea for clemency.
In a letter referenced by People, Wharton expressed remorse, saying: “I will be forever haunted by my participation in his arrest and prosecution. He is an innocent man.”
Despite his scheduled execution next week, Roberson remains optimistic about the revelation of the truth.
“It’s clear as day. They’ve seen the evidence, and they see that I really shouldn’t be here,” he remarked.