A Texas man condemned to death based on now-discredited “shaken baby syndrome” science won a crucial victory when the state’s highest criminal court blocked his execution, exposing how flawed forensic methods nearly sent an innocent father to his death.
Story Highlights
- Texas Court of Criminal Appeals halts Robert Roberson’s execution based on discredited shaken baby syndrome evidence.
- Bipartisan lawmakers and the arresting detective now support Roberson’s innocence claims.
- The child’s extensive medical history and dangerous medication were hidden from the original jury.
- The case reveals judicial misconduct and constitutional violations in the Anderson County prosecution.
Court Blocks Execution Based on Discredited Science
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals granted Robert Roberson an emergency stay of execution on October 9, 2025, just one week before his scheduled death date.
The 58-year-old father faced execution for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, convicted primarily on “shaken baby syndrome” evidence that medical experts now widely reject. The court’s decision puts Roberson’s death sentence in limbo while referring his claims back to the trial court for resolution.
The nation's first execution of a person convicted in a "shaken baby syndrome" case has been halted after Texas' highest criminal court ruled Thursday in the condemned man's favor. https://t.co/KzjbqpC4Fi
— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 9, 2025
Bipartisan Support Emerges for Wrongfully Convicted Father
Roberson’s case has attracted unprecedented bipartisan support from Texas lawmakers who used their legislative power to block his previous execution attempt. Even Brian Wharton, the detective who originally arrested Roberson, now publicly supports his innocence.
Wharton admitted to NBC News that he arrested Roberson without knowing Nikki’s extensive medical history or that Roberson has autism, which explained his lack of emotional response that prosecutors used against him.
Hidden Medical Evidence Reveals Prosecution Misconduct
The original jury never learned that Nikki had been hospitalized over 40 times during her short life due to chronic illness. Two days before her death, she registered a dangerous 104.5-degree fever and was prescribed Phenergan, a medication now banned for children due to severe side effects.
The FDA has since issued a “black box warning” for Phenergan, acknowledging its dangers. This critical medical evidence was deliberately withheld from jurors who condemned Roberson to death.
Constitutional Violations and Judicial Misconduct Exposed
Roberson’s legal team has uncovered evidence of judicial misconduct involving the Anderson County judge who presided over his trial. A recent “Dateline” podcast featuring Nikki’s maternal grandfather revealed these constitutional violations, providing grounds for a new trial.
Despite Texas’s 2013 “junk science” law designed to help inmates challenge convictions based on discredited forensic methods, Roberson’s case demonstrates how the justice system resisted correcting obvious errors.
Attorney General Paxton Refuses to Acknowledge Evidence
State Attorney General Ken Paxton has remained obstinately committed to Roberson’s execution despite overwhelming evidence of innocence. Paxton’s office took over the case this year and continues pushing for a new execution date.
His public statements on social media claim Roberson “beat her so brutally that she ultimately died,” directly contradicting medical experts who now understand that Nikki’s symptoms resulted from her chronic illness and dangerous medication, not abuse.
