Official statement from the office of Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Set to Execute Robert Roberson Despite Innocence Claims, House Subpoena, Sotomayor's Plea

Oct 17, 2024, 08:31 PM

Robert Roberson, a Texas death row inmate convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter Nikki Curtis in 2002, faced execution scheduled for 6 PM Central Time on Thursday, October 17. Despite widespread claims of his innocence and assertions that the science behind "shaken baby syndrome," pivotal in his conviction, has been debunked, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles declined clemency. A bipartisan group of Texas House representatives and former detective Brian Wharton, who testified against Roberson and now expresses regret, appealed to Governor Greg Abbott to intervene. In an unprecedented move, a Texas House committee issued a subpoena for Roberson to testify, temporarily delaying the execution with a restraining order issued by Judge Jessica Mangrum. However, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals overturned the order, allowing the execution to proceed. The U.S. Supreme Court denied a stay in a 7-1 decision, though Justice Sonia Sotomayor urged Governor Abbott to grant a reprieve, citing credible evidence of actual innocence. As the execution approached, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice indicated it could occur later, pending ongoing legal matters. Governor Abbott had not publicly responded to the appeals for clemency.