Additional Coverage:
Robert Roberson, a Texas death row inmate convicted of murdering his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in 2002, has been given a new execution date of October 16, 2025. This comes nearly a year after his previous execution was halted by the Texas Supreme Court following intervention by state lawmakers.
Roberson maintains his innocence, asserting that his daughter’s death, attributed to shaken baby syndrome, was a misdiagnosis. His legal team argues that new evidence points to other health complications, including pneumonia, sepsis, and improperly prescribed medications, as the actual cause of death. They believe this evidence warrants a new trial.
Roberson’s attorney, Gretchen Sween, expressed outrage at the judge’s decision, stating that her client is “a demonstrably innocent man.” She emphasized that various individuals, including the lead detective, a juror, experts, and lawmakers, agree that Nikki’s death, while tragic, was not a crime committed by Roberson. His supporters contend that if executed, Roberson would be the first person in the US put to death based on a shaken baby syndrome conviction, a diagnosis they consider discredited.
Last year’s scheduled execution was dramatically postponed when a state House committee subpoenaed Roberson’s testimony, questioning the legality of his conviction. This unusual move sparked a debate about the separation of powers, ultimately leading to the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Following the recusal of the original judge and a request from the district attorney, the Attorney General’s office took over the case, leading to the assignment of Judge Austin Reeve Jackson and the new execution date. Roberson currently has a pending appeal with the state’s Court of Criminal Appeals.