Texas man set to be first in US executed over shaken baby syndrome makes last appeals

A Texas state board has rejected a clemency plea from Robert Roberson, a man facing execution for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in a case involving the controversial diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome. Despite claims of his innocence and widespread support from Republican lawmakers, medical experts, and a detective involved in the original case, the board voted 6-0 against commuting Roberson’s death sentence to life or delaying his execution.

Roberson’s attorneys argue that new medical evidence shows his daughter died of natural causes related to severe pneumonia, not abuse. However, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denied a request to stay the execution. Governor Greg Abbott has the power to grant a one-time 30-day reprieve, but he has rarely used this authority. Roberson’s case has reignited debate over the reliability of shaken baby syndrome diagnoses.

Source: AP News