Robert Roberson insists he is innocent as execution date approaches
- Robert Roberson has been on death row since his conviction in 2003 for the death of his daughter, Nikki Curtis.
- He maintains his innocence, claiming that Nikki died from pneumonia complications, not child abuse.
- Roberson's legal team is seeking to challenge his conviction with new evidence and expert testimony.
In Texas, Robert Roberson, now 58, faces yet another scheduled execution date for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis. Proclaimed innocent, Roberson argues that his daughter died not from abuse but from pneumonia complications. Throughout his trial in 2003, prosecutors claimed he caused severe injuries linked to shaken baby syndrome. Roberson's defense lawyers contend that new evidence and expert testimonies have emerged, indicating substantial doubts about the case. Highlights of these developments include assertions from a group of ten independent pathologists questioning the reliability of the original autopsy report. As appeals continue, supporters, including Texas lawmakers from both parties, push for the truth to be acknowledged and for Roberson to be granted a new trial. Roberson’s ongoing legal battles illustrate broader concerns regarding the validity of shaken baby syndrome as a cause of death, amid conflicting opinions from medical professionals. Moreover, Roberson’s autism diagnosis, only identified in 2018, raises questions about how his behavior during trial may have affected jurors’ perceptions of his guilt.