Austin, 10 October 2025 — The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Thursday issued a stay of execution for Robert Leslie Roberson III, who was due to be executed on October 16 for the 2002 death of his daughter, Nikki. The ruling pauses what would have been the first U.S. execution based on a shaken baby syndrome conviction, directing a trial court to re-examine the case in light of evolving scientific evidence.
Background of the Case
Roberson was convicted in 2003 after doctors concluded that Nikki’s death was caused by shaken baby syndrome, citing the diagnostic “triad” of brain swelling, retinal hemorrhaging, and intracranial bleeding. However, subsequent medical reviews revealed that Nikki had severe pneumonia and had fallen from her bed, both of which could have explained her symptoms.
Roberson, now 58, has consistently maintained his innocence. His legal team argues that his autism spectrum disorder, diagnosed years after his conviction, led investigators and hospital staff to misinterpret his subdued demeanor as a sign of guilt.
Legal Precedent and Scientific Debate
The court’s decision referenced Ex parte Roark, a 2024 case in which another Texas man convicted of shaken baby syndrome was granted a new trial after judges acknowledged that scientific understanding of the diagnosis had shifted significantly. Medical experts increasingly argue that the syndrome, once widely accepted, is not a definitive indicator of abuse and can be mimicked by natural illnesses or accidental injuries.
Texas’s 2013 “junk science” law allows inmates to challenge convictions if the forensic or medical evidence used against them has since been discredited. Roberson’s case has become a test of how far courts are willing to apply this statute in capital cases.
Broader Implications
This is the second stay of execution for Roberson. His execution was halted in 2016 under the same law, though relief was later denied. In 2024, Texas lawmakers intervened at the last minute by subpoenaing him, forcing a temporary delay.
The case has drawn attention from bipartisan lawmakers, medical experts, and advocacy groups, including the Innocence Project, who argue that executing Roberson without a full review of the evidence would risk a grave miscarriage of justice. Even the detective who arrested him has since expressed doubts about his guilt.
Outlook
The stay remains in effect while the trial court reviews whether Roberson should be granted a new trial. The decision underscores the tension between finality in capital punishment and the need for accuracy in light of advancing science.
If the trial court finds the conviction unsound, Roberson could join a growing list of defendants whose shaken baby convictions have been overturned, reshaping how U.S. courts handle cases built on contested medical evidence.
Sources: jurist.org; Texas Tribune; Daily Mail; MSN News; Democracy Now!; Court filings.
