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Death Row Inmate and A Misscarriage of Justice
Robert Roberson, 56-year-old has been on Texas death row for over 22 years following a conviction of the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki — thought to have died of shaken baby syndrome. Roberson is slated for execution tomorrow. Last week, a bipartisan majority of Texas legislators in the House asked the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles to recommend clemency. That final decision will rest with Gov. Greg Abbott who has had no problem turning down other requests for clemency.
Gretchen Sween, Roberson’s attorney describes him as being akin to fictional character Forrest Gump.
“He’s been described by people who know him as like Forrest Gump. And by that, I mean he has this, a developmental disability, this lifelong [disability], but he also has this sort of childlike innocence and authenticity and is very intuitive and kind about people. He also is very attached to his mama and just very, as with some people with autism, he takes what you tell him very literally and wants to follow the rules,” said Sween.
In 2002, Roberson’s 2-year-old daughter Nikki, was sick with a fever of 104.5. She was born with chronic health issues that were never fully diagnosed. She would frequently stop breathing and turn blue. Her father, course of a week, took the toddler to both the ER and her pediatrician. The Dr. prescribed…
