Latest news with #Roberson
USA Today
17-07-2025
- USA Today
'Texans should be outraged': Execution back on for inmate who has strong innocence claims
Last year with hours left to live, Robert Roberson's life was spared following a furious effort by a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers − a development rarely seen in the hardliner state A Texas judge has rescheduled the execution of a death row inmate who won a rare stay of execution last year as prison officials were poised to administer his lethal injection. Judge Austin Reeve Jackson on Wednesday set Robert Roberson's execution for Oct. 16, almost exactly a year after the Texas Supreme Court granted him a stay on his last execution day, Oct. 17, 2024. Roberson, 58, is imprisoned in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, despite strong evidence that suggests he is innocent. Roberson was convicted based on shaken baby syndrome, which has since been largely debunked. Last year with hours left to live, Roberson's life was spared following a furious effort by a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers − a development rarely seen in the nation's most prolific death penalty state. The Texas Supreme Court intervened even as the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined to recommend clemency for Roberson and the U.S. Supreme Court declined to stop it. Judge Reeve has rescheduled the execution at the request of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton even though the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is "currently considering new evidence further proving" Roberson's innocence, said his defense attorney, Gretchen Sween. 'Texans should be outraged that the court has scheduled an execution date for a demonstrably innocent man," Sween said in a statement. "Everyone who has taken the time to look at the evidence of Robert Roberson's innocence − including the lead detective, one of the jurors, a range of highly qualified experts, and a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers − has reached the same conclusion: Nikki's death was a terrible tragedy. Robert did not kill her. There was no crime." The Attorney General's Office didn't immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment Wednesday. Here's what you need to know about the case. Detective who pursued Robert Roberson: 'I was wrong' Roberson was convicted of killing his daughter in their home in the East Texas city of Palestine in 2002. Roberson reported hearing Nikki cry and finding that she had fallen out of bed. After soothing her, he said, they both went back to sleep. Later, when Roberson woke again, he found Nikki wasn't breathing, and her lips had turned blue. At the emergency room, doctors observed symptoms consistent with brain death and she was pronounced dead the next day. Doctors and investigators at the time jumped to the conclusion that Nikki died of shaken baby syndrome, but the toddler had pneumonia in both lungs, pre-existing conditions for which she was prescribed opioids now banned for children, and undiagnosed sepsis. Shaken baby syndrome has been largely debunked as junk science, and the lead investigator in Roberson's case told USA TODAY's The Excerpt podcast that he botched the investigation. "Robert is a completely innocent man and we got it completely wrong, because we were looking for the wrong things," Brian Wharton said, adding that his confirmation bias and a number of misunderstandings wrongly pointed him to Roberson's guilt. "I was wrong. I didn't see Robert. I did not hear Robert," Wharton said. "I can tell you now, he is a good man. He is a kind man. He is a gracious man. And he did not do what the state of Texas and I have accused him of." What led to Robert Roberson's previous execution stay? Five Republican and four Democratic lawmakers on the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence issued a subpoena for Roberson shortly before his execution last year in an extraordinary effort to stop it. Texas Reps. Joe Moody, a Democrat, and Jeff Leach, a Republican, led the charge for Roberson's reprieve and issued a statement after his life was spared. "For over 20 years, Robert Roberson has spent 23.5 hours of every single day in solitary confinement in a cell no bigger than the closets of most Texans, longing and striving to be heard," they said. "And while some courthouses may have failed him, the Texas House has not." The move came after a failed effort by a bipartisan group of 84 Texas lawmakers who urged the state's Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency for Roberson "out of grave concern that Texas may put him to death for a crime that did not occur.' The clemency board denied their request. About three dozen scientific and medical experts wrote to the clemency board explaining that had Nikki died today, "no doctor would consider Shaken Baby Syndrome" as the cause because the condition "is now considered a diagnosis of exclusion." "Nikki's pneumonia, the extreme levels of dangerous medications found in her system during her autopsy, and her fall from the bed explain why Nikki died," the experts wrote. Also fighting for Roberson's salvation: groups representing parental rights, autism advocates, faith leaders and anti-death penalty groups including the Innocence Project, and bestselling author John Grisham, who called Nikki's death "a tragedy, not a crime," in a column for the Palestine Herald-Press. What happens now? Roberson's attorney told USA TODAY that she will again seek a stay of Roberson's execution "so all of the evidence that proves he is innocent can be reviewed by the courts without the pressure of a looming execution date.' Roberson will have many chances for courts, the state's clemency board and government officials to stop his execution again.
GMA Network
16-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
October execution date set for Texas man in 'shaken baby' case
HOUSTON, Texas - A Texas judge on Wednesday set a new execution date for an autistic man convicted in a problematic "shaken baby" case. Judge Austin Reeve Jackson set October 16 as the date for Robert Roberson to be executed by lethal injection for the 2002 death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki. Roberson, 58, had been scheduled to die on October 17 of last year at the state penitentiary in Huntsville but his execution was put on hold after he was subpoenaed to testify before a Texas House of Representatives committee. The Texas Supreme Court temporarily stayed his execution in response to the extraordinary subpoena from state lawmakers looking into Roberson's controversial conviction and the use of "junk science" in criminal prosecutions. A bipartisan group of 86 Texas lawmakers had urged clemency for Roberson, citing "voluminous new scientific evidence" that cast doubt on his guilt. Roberson would be the first person executed in the United States based on a diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, according to his lawyers. His case has drawn the attention of not only Texas lawmakers but also best-selling American novelist John Grisham, medical experts and the Innocence Project, which works to reverse wrongful convictions. Also among his supporters is the man who put him behind bars -- Brian Wharton, the former chief detective in the town of Palestine -- who has said "knowing everything that I know now, I am firmly convinced that Robert is an innocent man." Gretchen Sween, one of Roberson's attorneys, criticized the decision to set an execution date while the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals is considering new evidence in the case. "Texans should be outraged that the court has scheduled an execution date for a demonstrably innocent man," Sween said in a statement. "Everyone who has taken the time to look at the evidence of Robert Roberson's innocence... has reached the same conclusion: Nikki's death was a terrible tragedy. "Robert did not kill her. There was no crime." Roberson has always maintained his innocence and his lawyers said his chronically ill daughter died of natural and accidental causes, not abuse. The diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome, made at the hospital where Roberson's daughter died, was erroneous, they said, and the cause of death was pneumonia, aggravated by doctors prescribing improper medication. Roberson's autism spectrum disorder, which was not diagnosed until 2018, also contributed to his arrest and conviction, according to his lawyers. There have been 26 executions in the United States this year, including four in Texas. — Agence France-Presse
NBC News
16-07-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Texas to ask for new execution date for death row inmate Robert Roberson at hearing
A hearing on Wednesday will determine whether Texas can proceed with a new execution date for condemned inmate Robert Roberson, who would be the first put to death in the United States in a case of so-called shaken baby syndrome. Roberson, 58, faces a possible execution in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki. His case has drawn attention from a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers who successfully halted his death in October with only hours to spare after a flurry of eleventh-hour legal maneuvering. Since then, Roberson had been in limbo after filing another appeal earlier this year in a bid to win a new trial, while prosecutors pushed ahead for another execution date. The office of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton had requested last month that the Anderson County District Court schedule the new date for Roberson, writing in a motion that "the criteria for setting an execution have been met." Paxton has requested an Oct. 16 execution date, one year after his execution was halted. Smith County District Judge Austin Reeve Jackson is set to hear arguments about the attorney general's request. Roberson's lawyer, Gretchen Sween, previously accused Paxton of rushing to seek an execution without letting the litigation play out. "Robert was almost wrongfully executed last year," Sween said in a statement in June. "But for the courageous intervention of Texas lawmakers from both parties the worst possible injustice would have been an irrevocable stain on Texas." Paxton, a Republican, had acquired the case from Anderson County District Attorney Allyson Mitchell, who was handling the prosecution's case in recent years. It's unclear why Paxton's office was asked to take over, and his office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the latest execution date. In the weeks after Roberson's execution was stopped last fall, Paxton sparred with state lawmakers leading the House's Criminal Jurisprudence Committee. Members had used the committee's subpoena power to compel Roberson to testify at a hearing — an action that effectively halted his execution. But Paxton's office prevented Roberson from appearing in person, arguing the subpoena was "procedurally defective and therefore invalid." Roberson was set to testify in his case as it relates to a 2013 "junk science" law that allows Texas inmates to potentially challenge convictions based on advances in forensic science. Roberson has maintained his innocence in his daughter's death. In January 2002, Roberson and Nikki fell asleep in their East Texas home and he later awoke, he said, after he heard a sound and found that the toddler had fallen out of bed, according to court documents. Later that morning, when Roberson discovered his daughter was unconscious and her lips were blue, he rushed her to a local emergency room. he showed little emotion, furthering law enforcement's suspicions. Within a day, a police detective arrested Roberson on a capital murder charge. The jury in Roberson's trial never heard the extent of how sick Nikki was from the day she was born, nor that she had been taken to the hospital more than 40 times in her short life. Two days before she died, she registered a 104.5 degree fever at the doctor's office. She was sent home with the medication Phenergan that has since been deemed too dangerous for children — a drug that now carries a "black box warning" from the Food and Drug Administration. Brian Wharton, the detective who arrested Roberson and has since retired, has said publicly that he now believes Roberson is innocent. Wharton told NBC News' Lester Holt in October that he arrested Roberson without knowledge of Nikki's medical history and that he was unaware that Roberson is autistic, which would have explained his lack of emotion. (Roberson was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder in 2018, years after Nikki's death.) While doctors and law enforcement concluded that Nikki was killed as a result of a violent shaking episode, Roberson's defense team says a new understanding of "shaken baby syndrome" shows that other medical conditions can be factors in a child's death, as it believes was in Nikki's death. Paxton, however, is adamant Roberson is guilty of murder. In a list of reasons posted in October on X to set "the record straight," he argued the father murdered his daughter by "beating her so brutally that she ultimately died."
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Sport
- GMA Network
PH's Strong Group dominates Japan Developmental Team to go 2-0 to start Jones Cup
Strong Group-Philippines rode a strong second half to complete a 79-67 win over the Japan Developmental Team and remain spotless so far in the 2025 William Jones Cup on Monday in Taiwan. Reinforcement Andre Roberson and DJ Fenner both churned out all-around outings to carry the Philippine representatives to a 2-0 start while the Japanese team went 1-2. Roberson dazzled with a double-double of 15 points and 14 rebounds to go with five blocks and one assist while Fenner backstopped him with 14 markers, eight boards, and one block as they followed up on their 67-56 win against Chinese Taipei Blue on Sunday. Roberson and Fenner led an 11-1 rampage that saw Strong Group turn a slim 44-41 lead into a 55-42 cushion late in the third period. Javi Gomez de Liaño and Ian Miller then closed out the frame to help the Philippine team enjoy a 61-51 lead before heading to the payoff period. Roberson then knocked down a tough corner triple to make it a 68-53 lead before Roberson converted back-to-back baskets for a 72-57 spread. SGA never slowed down from there with Rhenz Abando cleaning up a missed triple from Dave Ildefonso, who would then complete a three-point play to send SGA to a 77-59 advantage with 1:58 left to play. Fenner punctuated the win from the stripe, sinking two consecutive free throws as SGA got off to an impressive start in its title defense bid. Gomez de Liaño tallied 13 points while Abando finished with 11 markers to go with six rebounds, three assists, two steals, and one block. SGA will look to capture its third win in a row on Tuesday when it takes on Qatar national team at 5 p.m. —JMB, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
After Texas, now North Carolina is under water - several counties under flash flood warnings, thousands without power and water
North Carolina is now underwater, just days after Texas was hit by terrible floods. Tropical Depression Chantal swept through the state, leaving a trail of destruction. Several counties are in crisis mode, with emergency crews working around the clock to deal with road collapses, power outages, and tornado damage. What kind of damage did Chantal cause? The aftermath of Tropical Depression Chantal, which brought heavy rain on Sunday night and caused severe flooding throughout the region, is still affecting many people in central North Carolina, as per a report by ABC 11. Until later Monday morning, a number of counties are under Flood Advisories, Flood Watches, and Flash Flood Warnings, and many roads are closed. Following the storms, thousands of people lost power. Following multiple storms that prompted warnings, thousands of customers in central North Carolina are without power, according to the Duke Energy outage map, as per a report. Which areas were hit the hardest? Chatham, Lee, and Moore are just a few of the counties that have been given flood warnings. Moore County has declared a state of emergency, and rescue efforts are still going on. Moore County Live Events The Tropical Depression Chantal damaged a shopping center in Southern Pines and caused extensive flooding throughout Moore County. Around eight o'clock, the storm began, swiftly filling the parking lot and forcing evacuations. Due to inadequate drainage, the back lot of Southern Pines Planet Fitness turned into a wetland. A dam at the water reservoir at Longleaf Country Club failed, resulting in overflow in nearby ponds and creeks. Street signs were submerged, and a neighbour's trampoline washed away. Due to the extensive damage caused by the storm, Moore County Board of Commissioners Chair Kurt Cook proclaimed the county to be in a state of emergency until July 9. Chatham County With more than 100 roads impacted and a section of NC 902 closed as a result of heavy rain, Chatham County is currently experiencing severe flooding. Rescue personnel were overworked and are still looking for missing people, according to Sheriff Roberson. Authorities are warning locals to drive cautiously around flooded areas and to avoid doing so unless absolutely necessary. Lee County The storm's strong winds caused significant damage in Lee County, especially at the Raleigh Executive Jetport in Sanford, where two hangars and airplanes were affected by a potential tornado. A nearby mobile home park also experienced storm-related damage, including downed power lines and trees, though no residents were hurt. FAQs Which North Carolina counties are under flood warning? Chatham, Lee, and Moore counties were among the hardest hit, with Flash Flood Warnings, Advisories, and Watches in effect as of Monday morning. Is it safe to drive in central NC now? No, many roads are flooded or damaged. Authorities are urging residents to stay off the roads unless absolutely necessary and to avoid driving through standing water.
