Robert Roberson Is Facing Execution on Oct. 16 in a Case Where No Crime Occurred. Here’s How You Can Help Save His Life.
Texas is seeking to execute Mr. Roberson even though leading medical experts say he was wrongly convicted under outdated science.
10.02.25 By Alyxaundria Sanford
12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project
Robert Roberson has spent 22 years on Texas’ death row, convicted in 2003 for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki. His conviction was built entirely on the now-discredited “shaken baby syndrome” (SBS) theory. Mr. Roberson is at risk of execution unless a court stops it or Governor Greg Abbott at least issues a temporary reprieve.
Here’s what you need to know:
- No credible evidence shows Mr. Roberson did anything to harm Nikki, and multiple medical experts now agree Nikki’s death was likely caused by an undiagnosed pneumonia and dangerous medications prescribed by doctors who failed to diagnose the pneumonia.
- Mr. Roberson, diagnosed with autism after his conviction, was misjudged by medical staff and police who assumed that his flat demeanor during his daughter’s medical crisis was a reason to suspect him.
- Mr. Roberson was almost wrongfully executed on Oct. 17, 2024, but a bipartisan coalition of more than 80 Texas legislators requested and won a stay of execution.
- Many exonerees who were wrongly convicted of committing child abuse, including those accused using the discredited SBS hypothesis, have joined voices in support of Mr. Roberson, emphasizing that his case is chillingly familiar to other wrongful convictions.
- The lead detective who helped put Mr. Roberson on death row, Brian Wharton, has reversed his position and says he regrets his role.
WATCH: Former Detective Brian Wharton, who once led the charge against Mr. Roberson and helped convict him, urges Gov. Abbott to stop his execution before it’s too late.
You can take action now. Here are three ways to help:
Your voice can make a difference. Pick up the phone and urge Gov. Abbott to grant Mr. Roberson a reprieve, so courts can fully review the new evidence. Contact Gov. Abbott right now and urge him to stop Mr. Roberson’s execution: 737-277-6778 (Enter this number and the Innocence Project will connect you to his office)
- Robert Roberson faces execution on Oct. 16, for the death of his daughter Nikki who died from prior medical conditions.
- Robert would be the first person in the U.S. executed based on the discredited shaken baby syndrome hypothesis unless you intervene.
- Mr. Roberson was prosecuted, convicted, and sentenced to death using a now-discredited version of the Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) hypothesis.
- The overwhelming medical and scientific evidence now shows that Nikki died of accidental and natural causes.
- Please don’t allow Texas to make the irreversible mistake of executing an innocent person and the first person executed in history based on the discredited SBS hypothesis.
- Please grant Robert a reprieve.
Join more than 160,000 advocates across the country and stand against the execution of an innocent father.
3. Use Your Voice
Share Mr. Roberson’s story on X, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook. Use our social media kit to create content for your platforms.
@innocence Robert Roberson faces execution for a crime he did not commit. The evidence in his case makes clear that his daughter’s tragic death was the result of an accident, not Robert. If carried out, his execution would mark the first in the U.S. based on the discredited “shaken baby” theory. We stopped Robert’s execution once before. We have 30 days to do it again. 1. Repost. 2. Sign the petition (link in bio). 3. Tag your friends to stand with us. #SaveRoberson ♬ original sound – Innocence Project
You’ve done it before for our clients Pervis Payne, Rodney Reed, Julius Jones, and Melissa Lucio, the last of whom was just two days away from execution when the court granted a stay. In all, more than 1 million advocates online and on the ground used their voices to call for justice.
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