Execution of Texas father in ‘shaken baby syndrome’ case set to go ahead after parole board votes against clemency
5 months ago

Execution of Texas father in ‘shaken baby syndrome’ case set to go ahead after parole board votes against clemency

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors }} The execution of Robert Roberson, an autistic father at the center of a controversial “shaken baby syndrome” case, is set to proceed after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles unanimously voted against granting clemency on Wednesday. “Mr Roberson should not have been convicted, let alone convicted and sentenced to death.” On Monday, Roberson’s attorneys filed an emergency motion in the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals to stay the execution, urging the court to consider the medical and scientific evidence proving that Nikki died as a result of illness, accident and improper medications. An undated photo of Roberson while in the army A pediatrician determined that abuse had played a factor in the girl’s death, after finding signs on her body typically associated with “shaken baby syndrome”, which included subdural hematoma, brain swelling and retinal hemorrhages. There will be this tremendous grief that I had a hand in killing something so beautiful.” The parole board’s ruling came a day after an Anderson County court decided against vacating Roberson’s execution warrant.

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History of this topic

Texas Has Dug a Deep Hole It Can’t Escape on a Particularly Thorny Issue
2 months, 2 weeks ago

Texas Has Dug a Deep Hole It Can’t Escape on a Particularly Thorny Issue

Slate  

This piece was originally published on State Court Report, a hub for reporting, analysis, and commentary about state courts and constitutions. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, the state’s court of last resort for criminal cases, declined to reconsider its past decisions, paving the way for Roberson’s execution. The committee then went to the Texas Supreme Court, which at the …

Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is again stopped from testifying
3 months ago

Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is again stopped from testifying

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A second attempt by Texas lawmakers to bring a man on death row to the state Capitol over doubts that he killed his 2-year-old daughter failed again Friday, dimming the likelihood of Robert Roberson testifying publicly after a last-minute subpoena halted his execution. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, civil rights advocates and medical experts have expressed doubts …

Testimony of Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is challenged again
3 months ago

Testimony of Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is challenged again

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — Texas’ attorney general sought again on Thursday to stop a man on death row from testifying to lawmakers who have raised doubts about his guilt and successfully paused his execution at the last minute in October. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his office asked a court for an order blocking the subpoena, which he said …

Testimony of Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is challenged again
3 months ago

Testimony of Texas man whose execution was halted in shaken baby case is challenged again

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Republican Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton said his …

Two Similar Cases in Texas Expose the Death Penalty as a Farce
4 months ago

Two Similar Cases in Texas Expose the Death Penalty as a Farce

Slate  

Two Texas death cases made headlines last week; both involved a parent who was convicted of killing their 2-year old child. As law professor Lee Loevinger explained almost 50 years ago: “Neither judges nor juries, nor even lawyers in the usual situation, ever come in contact with the ‘facts’ of any case, taking ‘facts’ to mean the transactions or occurrences …

The key moments as a Texas man faces execution in a shaken baby syndrome case
4 months ago

The key moments as a Texas man faces execution in a shaken baby syndrome case

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A Texas Supreme Court ruling has again cleared the way for the execution of Robert Roberson, who would become the first person in the U.S. to be put to death over a murder conviction tied to a case of shaken baby syndrome, a diagnosis that some medical experts have questioned. But the execution was halted after a …

Texas inmate Melissa Lucio is 'actually innocent' of killing daughter, judge says
4 months ago

Texas inmate Melissa Lucio is 'actually innocent' of killing daughter, judge says

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Senior State District Judge Arturo Nelson concluded that prosecutors …

Texas high court says execution in ‘shaken baby syndrome’ case can’t be halted by lawmaker subpoena
4 months ago

Texas high court says execution in ‘shaken baby syndrome’ case can’t be halted by lawmaker subpoena

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — The Texas Supreme Court on Friday ruled that a legislative subpoena cannot stop an execution after Republican and Democratic lawmakers who say Robert Roberson is innocent used the novel maneuver to pause his execution at the last minute. This spurred a legal conundrum between the state’s criminal and civil courts, which ultimately led to the Texas Supreme …

Robert Roberson’s execution: Texas Supreme Court clears way for new execution date in ‘shaken baby’ death
4 months, 1 week ago

Robert Roberson’s execution: Texas Supreme Court clears way for new execution date in ‘shaken baby’ death

CNN  

CNN — The Texas Supreme Court on Friday said the execution of a man convicted of murder in the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter could move forward, even as a state house committee seeks to subpoena the man for his testimony and its bipartisan members fight to spare his life. Roberson’s attorney, Gretchen Sween, in a statement, asked the …

Texas attorney general issues damning statement on death row inmate as activists plead for his life
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas attorney general issues damning statement on death row inmate as activists plead for his life

Daily Mail  

The Texas Attorney General has hit back at state legislators after they managed to delay the execution of a man on death row for killing his two-year-old daughter. Roberson was set to die by lethal injection following his conviction for killing his toddler daughter, Nikki Curtis, at his Palestine, Texas home. Roberson was set to die by lethal injection following …

Political divisions deepen over Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson’s innocence claim
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Political divisions deepen over Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson’s innocence claim

Raw Story  

"Political divisions deepen over Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson’s innocence claim" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. A week after death row inmate Robert Roberson was set to die, the extraordinary quest to save his life …

Execution case highlights major policy split in Texas GOP
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Execution case highlights major policy split in Texas GOP

Raw Story  

"Robert Roberson’s case spotlights Texas’ GOP divide on criminal justice" was first published by The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans — and engages with them — about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues. Eleven years ago, Texas lawmakers passed what would become known as the state’s “junk science” law, allowing courts to overturn convictions …

Ex-juror in ‘shaken baby’ case tells hearing Texas death row inmate should not face execution
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Ex-juror in ‘shaken baby’ case tells hearing Texas death row inmate should not face execution

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Terre Compton, an original juror, told …

Committee Revokes Subpoena, Leaves Roberson's Fate Uncertain
5 months ago

Committee Revokes Subpoena, Leaves Roberson's Fate Uncertain

CNN  

The Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence has issued an extraordinary subpoena seeking Robert Roberson's testimony, potentially causing his execution to be halted. The case remains fluid, with the committee facing a court battle over the subpoena and the attorney general's attempt to overturn a temporary restraining order. Roberson's attorneys argue for his testimony to be heard in person, despite …

As Robert Roberson’s execution neared, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silence
5 months ago

As Robert Roberson’s execution neared, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott stuck to silence

Raw Story  

In a state where the death penalty is as ingrained as cowboy boots and conservative politics, news of Robert Roberson’s death sentence broke through in Texas after the rarest of phenoms: a noisy, bipartisan effort that bypassed the governor’s office to save a man from lethal injection. “Governors at least going back to George W. Bush, in the case of …

Texas Lawmakers Issue Subpoena to Delay Execution of Robert Roberson
5 months ago

Texas Lawmakers Issue Subpoena to Delay Execution of Robert Roberson

Associated Press  

Texas was about to execute Robert Roberson, but a last-ditch tactic bought him more time. A bipartisan group of lawmakers issued a subpoena for him to testify before a House committee next week, which would be days after he was scheduled to die. Roberson's attorneys say they will use the extra time he has to fight for a new trial.

Texas Lawmakers Did Something Unprecedented to Save an Innocent Man’s Life
55 years, 2 months ago

Texas Lawmakers Did Something Unprecedented to Save an Innocent Man’s Life

Slate  

Robert Roberson, who was wrongfully convicted of a capital crime, was due to die on Thursday at 6 p.m. Related From Slate The Next Stage in the Effort to End the Death Penalty In 2003, when Roberson went on trial, shaken baby syndrome was, as Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in a statement accompanying the Supreme Court’s refusal on Thursday to …

Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken-baby case after lawmakers’ last-minute appeal
5 months ago

Texas Supreme Court halts execution of man in shaken-baby case after lawmakers’ last-minute appeal

LA Times  

Jennifer Martin and Thomas Roberson, older brother of condemned prisoner Robert Roberson, protest outside the prison where Roberson was scheduled for execution in Huntsville, Texas. The Texas Supreme Court halted Thursday night’s scheduled execution of a man who would have become the first person in the U.S. put to death for a murder conviction tied to a diagnosis of shaken …

Man's Execution In Shaken Baby Case Delayed After Texas Lawmakers' ‘Unprecedented’ Move
5 months ago

Man's Execution In Shaken Baby Case Delayed After Texas Lawmakers' ‘Unprecedented’ Move

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING The execution of a Texas man convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter under a disputed shaken baby syndrome diagnosis was put on hold Thursday hours before he was scheduled to die when Texas lawmakers demanded he appear at an upcoming hearing. In a last-ditch effort on Wednesday, his lawyers filed a petition to the U.S. Supreme Court …

Texas man set to be first in US executed over shaken baby syndrome makes last appeals
5 months ago

Texas man set to be first in US executed over shaken baby syndrome makes last appeals

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Texas man who …

'Shaken baby' death row inmate in Texas is running out of options to stop execution
5 months ago

'Shaken baby' death row inmate in Texas is running out of options to stop execution

NPR  

'Shaken baby' death row inmate in Texas is running out of options to stop execution A Texas man could soon be the first person in the U.S. to be executed for a murder conviction tied to the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. DAVID MARTIN DAVIES, BYLINE: In the early morning of January 31, 2002, Robert Roberson entered an East Texas …

Man Convicted Of Daughter's Death In Disputed Shaken Baby Case Is Set For Execution
5 months ago

Man Convicted Of Daughter's Death In Disputed Shaken Baby Case Is Set For Execution

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING Advocates were fighting for a Texas man’s life on Wednesday just hours before his scheduled execution in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, who prosecutors had argued was killed under the disputed cause known as shaken baby syndrome. A clemency board document obtained by HuffPost revealed all six parole board members voted against recommending commuting Roberson’s death …

Texas man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case awaits clemency ruling
5 months ago

Texas man facing execution in shaken baby syndrome case awaits clemency ruling

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Texas man who this …

Editorial: Execution despite doubt over guilt is a perversion of justice
5 months, 1 week ago

Editorial: Execution despite doubt over guilt is a perversion of justice

LA Times  

Robert Roberson, accused of his daughter’s death and scheduled to be executed Thursday, is photographed at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Polunsky Unit in 2023. But now the detective who testified against him says he believes Roberson is innocent, and a string of physicians argue that the “shaken baby syndrome” diagnosis that was standard medical doctrine at the time, …

Shaken baby syndrome: What to know as Texas man could be first in US executed over it
5 months, 1 week ago

Shaken baby syndrome: What to know as Texas man could be first in US executed over it

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. There are about 1,300 reported cases of shaken …

A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely granted
5 months, 2 weeks ago

A Texas execution is renewing calls for clemency. It's rarely granted

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Their pleas to spare Robert …

Texas man set to be executed for killing his infant son
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas man set to be executed for killing his infant son

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Texas man who waived his right to appeal death sentence is executed for killing infant son
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas man who waived his right to appeal death sentence is executed for killing infant son

Associated Press  

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A Texas man who had waived his right to appeal his death sentence received a lethal injection Tuesday evening for killing his 3-month-old son more than 16 years ago, one of five executions scheduled within a week’s time in the U.S. Travis Mullis, 38, was pronounced dead at 7:01 p.m. CDT following the injection at the state …

Texas lawmakers show bipartisan support to try to stop a man’s execution
6 months ago

Texas lawmakers show bipartisan support to try to stop a man’s execution

Associated Press  

AUSTIN, Texas — A bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers petitioned Republican Gov. The petition from 84 lawmakers from the 150-member Republican-controlled state House — as well as medical experts, death penalty attorneys, a former detective on the case, and bestselling novelist John Grisham — is a rare sign of widespread bipartisan support in Texas against a planned execution. “There is …

Texas’ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby case
6 months, 1 week ago

Texas’ highest criminal court declines to stop execution of man accused in shaken baby case

Associated Press  

Texas’s highest criminal court on Wednesday declined to stop the execution next month of Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter, but who has consistently challenged his conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science. Without reviewing the merits of Roberson’s claims, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Wednesday …

Texas sets execution date for East Texas man accused in shaken baby case
8 months, 2 weeks ago

Texas sets execution date for East Texas man accused in shaken baby case

Associated Press  

A Texas court on Monday set an execution date for Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter but has consistently challenged the conviction on the claim that it was based on questionable science. At trial, doctors testified that Nikki’s death was consistent with shaken baby syndrome — in which an infant is severely …

Texas inmate facing execution for 2001 fatal shooting as his lawyers argue he's no longer a danger
8 months, 3 weeks ago

Texas inmate facing execution for 2001 fatal shooting as his lawyers argue he's no longer a danger

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The remains of Bridget Townsend weren't found until October …

Texas man executed for 2001 killing of 5-year-old girl abducted from a store
1 year, 4 months ago

Texas man executed for 2001 killing of 5-year-old girl abducted from a store

Associated Press  

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A Texas man convicted of strangling a 5-year-old girl who was taken from a Walmart store nearly 22 years ago and burning her body was executed Thursday evening. Renteria’s execution proceeded after the U.S. Supreme Court declined two separate defense requests for a stay earlier in the day. Another appeal rejected by the high court without comment …

Texas executes inmate for killing 4 during drug robbery
2 years ago

Texas executes inmate for killing 4 during drug robbery

Associated Press  

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — Texas has executed an inmate convicted of the drug-related killings of four people more than 30 years ago, including a woman who was 9-months pregnant. Killed during the drug robbery were 32-year-old Jose Tovar; his wife’s 17-year-old son, Frank Farias; 19-year-old Jessica Quiñones, the pregnant girlfriend of another son of Rachel Tovar; and 21-year-old neighbor Audrey Brown. …

Man who fatally shot 3 Texas teens in 1998 faces execution
2 years, 1 month ago

Man who fatally shot 3 Texas teens in 1998 faces execution

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. It had been unclear whether John Balentine’s execution, scheduled for Wednesday evening …

Execution of man convicted in killing of 3 in Texas delayed
2 years, 1 month ago

Execution of man convicted in killing of 3 in Texas delayed

The Independent  

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A judge has delayed next week’s scheduled execution …

Missouri woman, 19, denied emergency motion demanding to be allowed to watch her father's execution
2 years, 3 months ago

Missouri woman, 19, denied emergency motion demanding to be allowed to watch her father's execution

Daily Mail  

Kevin Johnson is due to be executed on Tuesday November 29 for killing a cop Now she has asked for the Missouri governor to grant her father clemency She developed her relationship with her father through visits, calls and letters Corionsa Ramey was two when her father was put in prison for the killing A federal judge said the state …

Texas executes man, 55, with injection 17 years after he killed pregnant ex-girlfriend and son
2 years, 4 months ago

Texas executes man, 55, with injection 17 years after he killed pregnant ex-girlfriend and son

Daily Mail  

A Texas inmate who killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend and her 7-year-old son more than 17 years ago was executed on Wednesday, after courts rejected his appeals over claims of religious freedom violations and indifference to his medical needs. Stephen Barbee, 55, received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville Barbee was charged in 2005 for murdering Lisa Underwood, …

Texas executes inmate who fought prayer, touch rules
2 years, 5 months ago

Texas executes inmate who fought prayer, touch rules

Associated Press  

HUNTSVILLE, Texas — A Texas death row inmate whose case redefined the role of spiritual advisers in death chambers nationwide was executed Wednesday, despite the efforts of a district attorney to stop his lethal injection. In March, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Ramirez, saying states must accommodate the wishes of death row inmates who want to have their faith …

Oklahoma panel rejects clemency for man in baby’s killing
2 years, 5 months ago

Oklahoma panel rejects clemency for man in baby’s killing

Associated Press  

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board voted 4-1 Tuesday to deny clemency for a man sentenced to die for killing his 9-month-old daughter in 2002, moving him a step closer to his scheduled lethal injection next month. Attorneys for the state and members of the victim’s family told the board that Cole’s symptoms of mental illness are exaggerated …

Melissa Lucio is granted 11th-hour stay of execution by Texas appeals court
2 years, 10 months ago

Melissa Lucio is granted 11th-hour stay of execution by Texas appeals court

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Lucio’s legal team had filed a …

Texas appeals court delays execution of Melissa Lucio
2 years, 10 months ago

Texas appeals court delays execution of Melissa Lucio

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ …

Melissa Lucio: Texas death row mother to learn of fate today as parole board considers clemency
2 years, 10 months ago

Melissa Lucio: Texas death row mother to learn of fate today as parole board considers clemency

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Texas carries out execution of oldest death row inmate as Melissa Lucio continues to fight for freedom
2 years, 10 months ago

Texas carries out execution of oldest death row inmate as Melissa Lucio continues to fight for freedom

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Please try again later {{ /verifyErrors …

Texas prosecutor pushes back on pleas to stop execution
2 years, 11 months ago

Texas prosecutor pushes back on pleas to stop execution

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. But during a sometimes contentious …

Mother on death row for daughter’s death asks for clemency as execution date looms
2 years, 11 months ago

Mother on death row for daughter’s death asks for clemency as execution date looms

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A mother on death …

Texas announces execution date for eldest death row inmate
3 years, 2 months ago

Texas announces execution date for eldest death row inmate

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Carl Wayne Buntion, 81, was convicted more than …

Texas man faces execution for murder of pregnant wife and five-year-old daughter
3 years, 8 months ago

Texas man faces execution for murder of pregnant wife and five-year-old daughter

The Independent  

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A Texas death row …

2nd Texas death row inmate declared intellectually disabled
4 years, 5 months ago

2nd Texas death row inmate declared intellectually disabled

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “My faith in the criminal justice system is strengthened …

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