Texas Supreme Court halts execution amid innocence claims
The Texas Supreme Court has opted to temporarily halt the execution of Robert Roberson, who was sentenced to death. This decision was made mere minutes after the highest criminal court in Texas granted permission for the execution to proceed at Huntsville prison.
Roberson was found guilty of murdering his two-year-old daughter in 2002. The girl suffered from shaken baby syndrome. The execution had been scheduled for Friday, according to the decision issued on 17 October. However, the sentence was not carried out at the planned time, so Judge David Newell must issue a new execution order.
23 hours a day in solitary confinement
A panel from the Texas House of Representatives filed a motion to postpone Roberson's execution, as he claims he is innocent. Travis County Judge Jessica Mangrum granted this motion.
"For over 20 years, 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. And while some courthouses may have failed him, the Texas House has not. We're deeply grateful to the Texas Supreme Court for respecting the role of the Texas Legislature in such consequential matters. We look forward to welcoming Robert to the Texas Capitol, and along with 31 million Texans, finally giving him—and the truth—a chance to be heard," stated state legislators Joe Moody and Jeff Leach in a joint statement.
Appeals and court decisions
According to the United Press International (UPI) agency, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to intervene in Roberson's case despite numerous appeals and legal actions. Justice Sonia Sotomayor explained that the Supreme Court could only intervene if Roberson presented evidence of his innocence.
Supporters of Roberson stress that the courts should consider evidence suggesting that his daughter's death may have been caused by various medical conditions and improper medication rather than murder.
Support for Roberson's release
The chief detective who contributed to Roberson's conviction, Brian Wharton, has now become one of the main advocates for his release.
"I’m ashamed that I was so focused on finding an offender and convicting someone that I did not see Robert. I did not hear his voice," Wharton confessed in an interview with the Texas Tribune.
In an interview with NBC News, Roberson once more appealed to Governor Greg Abbott to stop the execution, insisting on his innocence. "Look at the support I've got, Mr. Governor, and I'm just hoping, praying that you do the right thing," the convicted man pleaded.
