A legislative hearing in Texas was delayed when the key witness, an inmate whose execution for his daughter’s death was narrowly averted, did not appear. Robert Roberson, who maintains his innocence in his daughter’s “shaken baby” death, was expected to testify before the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence but faced difficulties due to his autism and unfamiliarity with technology. The hearing is centered around a 2013 “junk science” law that allows Texas inmates to challenge convictions based on advances in forensic science. Roberson’s defense team argues that the diagnosis of “shaken baby syndrome” has been discredited and has been successfully challenged in other cases across the country.
Although Roberson was not present for the hearing, support has been shown by a bipartisan coalition of state lawmakers who believe he was unfairly convicted without the full evidence of his daughter’s chronic illness being considered. This includes medical issues that may have contributed to her symptoms aside from the alleged shaking. The lead detective in the case has also expressed support for Roberson, stating that he believes Roberson is innocent. However, the prosecutors continue to argue that Roberson is responsible for his daughter’s death based on the evidence presented in court.
Roberson’s defense team continues to fight for his innocence based on the changing medical consensus regarding “shaken baby syndrome” and the belief that there are other potential causes for the symptoms present in his daughter’s case. The legal battles are ongoing as both sides present their arguments, and the issue remains unresolved as the state explores its next steps in this complex and controversial case.
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