The execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted of shaken baby syndrome in Texas, has been temporarily paused by a state judge. Roberson, sentenced to death in 2003 for the death of his two-year-old daughter Nikki Curtis, has maintained his innocence. Experts have raised doubts about the evidence used to convict him, leading to a last-minute restraining order that halted the execution. The case has drawn national attention, with conservative lawmakers, criminal justice reform advocates, and medical officials casting doubt on Roberson’s guilt. His lawyers argued that authorities misconstrued symptoms of his autism as evidence of guilt. The lead detective on the case now believes Roberson should be free. Texas lawmakers had lobbied for the case to be reexamined, leading to the temporary halt in the execution. The Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles had denied Roberson’s bid for clemency, but a committee in the Republican-controlled state House of Representatives petitioned for a restraining order to buy more time. The US Supreme Court had also denied a request for a stay on the execution. Roberson was scheduled to die by lethal injection, a controversial form of execution in the US. Public opinion on the death penalty remains divided, with support for the death penalty in murder cases but concerns about fairness in its application. The pause in Roberson’s execution highlights ongoing debates about the death penalty and the need for careful consideration in capital cases.
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