Texas lawmakers issue new subpoena for death row inmate Robert Roberson's testimony

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 bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers announced Tuesday they had issued a new subpoena that would require the state’s prison system to allow death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify in person this week about the state’s junk science law. “Robert’s testimony will shed important light on some of the problems with our ‘junk science writ’ process, a legal procedure Texas lawmakers expected to provide reconsideration in cases like this one,” committee chair and state Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat, and committee member and state Rep. Jeff Leach, a Republican, said in a statement. However, the Texas attorney general's office said he would only appear by videoconference because bringing him to the state Capitol would present “myriad security and logistical concerns.” The committee and Roberson’s lawyers have pushed for him to appear in person, saying testimony via video conference would be difficult for him because he has been diagnosed with autism and has communication challenges. If the state criminal justice department would not comply with a new subpoena, the House committee could seek “judicial relief” to compel Roberson’s testimony, the Texas Supreme Court said in its order.