Robert Roberson is scheduled for execution in Texas on October 17, 2024 for the alleged 2003 killing of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.

BREAKING DEVELOPMENT (11/16/24 #2): The TX Board of Pardons and Parole has DECLINED to recommend clemency. There is still a bit of hope I the courts, and Governor Abbott retains the power to grant a reprieve.

BREAKING DEVELOPMENT (11/16/24): TX lawmakers ask TX CCA to stay execution and consider evidence proving no crime occurred in his case. More here.

BREAKING DEVELOPMENT (10/11/24): On 10/9/24 The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted a new trial for Texas habeas applicant Andrew Roark from Dallas on Oct. 9 “on the grounds that his 2000 conviction in a shaken baby/shaken impact case must be vacated because it was based on scientific understanding that has since evolved." The court also found that the ‘admissible scientific testimony’ in a new trial today ‘would likely lead to an acquittal.'  Despite the fact that this is a very similar situation to that of Robert Roberson, with the same expert witness, The TX CCA DENIED Roberson's request for relief. He remains scheduled to be killed in Texas THIS THURSDAY for something that was not a crime. Read more here.

Despite robust evidence that Robert Roberson did not kill his daughter and, in fact, she succumbed to her myriad of health issues, Texas is pushing forward with his execution. If Texas succeeds in executing Robert, his execution would be the first execution in the US based on the Shaken Baby Syndrome myth. Additionally, hospital staff and others believed Robert's response to his daughter's condition lacked emotion; however, they did now know that Robert had autism and had inappropriately judged his response.

The Innocence Project outlines numerous important points about Robert's wrongful conviction including:

1. The prosecution based its case against Mr. Robertson on the hypothesis that Nikki's death was caused by SBS-- a condition that was never scientifically validated and the premises of which have been discredited by actual science.

2. Nikki was suffering from myriad medical issues that contributed to her death.

3. Symptoms of Mr. Robertson's autism were used against him.

4. Misguided SBS diagnoses prevailed.

5. The jury was presented with unfounded claims of child abuse.

6. Top neuropathologists and forensic pathologists support that Nikki died of natural and accidental causes.

7. Mr. Robertson deserves a fair shot at justice before it's too late.

UPDATE (10/2/24): Robbert Roberson's attorneys supplemented the clemency petition citing related discredited “Shaken Baby” case at TX CCA, a visit from a bipartisan group of lawmakers, and parental rights issues. More here.

Visit the Innocence Project to read more about this egregious injustice and other ways to help stop it!

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Texas' aggressive execution schedule marks it as an outlier in its use of the death penalty while the majority of other states are on a downward trend of executions. In the last few years, Texas has been one of only a handful of states that have carried out death sentences - and it continues to do so targeting the poor, the mentally ill and people of color.

Please sign the petition asking Governor Abbott and the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to do everything within their power to stop this execution, including issuing a stay, and seeking a path to clemency in the case.

Additionally, you may reach out now to the Board at bpp_clemency@tdcj.texas.gov and the Governor at https://gov.texas.gov/contact/and (512) 463-1782. You can simply leave a voice message, or choose to speak to a representative if you prefer.

Please note: In Texas, the Governor does have limited power when it comes to the death penalty. But the story we are told that "it's out of the governor's hands," is only true if we allow it to be. Yes, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles must recommend clemency in that state in order for the Governor to grant clemency (mercy) by commuting a death sentence. But the fact is that the governor appoints the members of the Board of Pardons and Paroles. He can choose to appoint members who will take valid claims and concerns more seriously, instead of acting like rubber-stamping gate-keepers. He can still use his position of power and influence to enact justice in the State of Texas