Additional Coverage:
Texas Man Faces Execution in Shaken Baby Syndrome Case
A Texas man is set to become the first in the US executed for a murder conviction linked to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. Robert Robertson was scheduled to receive lethal injection on Thursday night.
Legal Efforts to Delay Execution
A judge initially granted a stay of execution, but the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals reversed the order in response to an appeal by the state attorney general. Robertson was also subpoenaed by state lawmakers in an attempt to delay his execution.
Concerns Raised by Robertson’s Supporters
Robertson’s lawyers and supporters argue that he is innocent and that his conviction was based on outdated medical evidence. They claim that his daughter’s death was caused by complications from pneumonia, not shaken baby syndrome.
Medical Experts’ Perspective
Medical organizations and prosecutors maintain that shaken baby syndrome is a valid diagnosis. They argue that doctors consider all possible causes of injuries, including illnesses, when making their determinations.
Legal Precedents
Courts around the country have overturned convictions or dropped charges related to shaken baby syndrome in recent years. However, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals has repeatedly denied Robertson’s requests for a stay of execution.
National Context
At least eight individuals have been sentenced to death in the US for shaken baby syndrome. Two have been exonerated, and Robertson is the only one with an execution date. According to the National Registry of Exonerations, over 30 people have been exonerated based on discredited medical theories related to shaken baby syndrome.