Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson was set to testify in front of House lawmakers at the Capitol after his execution was stayed by the Texas Supreme Court. He was convicted in 2003 of murdering his 2-year-old daughter but maintains his innocence. Medical experts now say the evidence used to convict him, the “shaken baby syndrome” hypothesis, is bad science and his daughter may have died of natural causes. This testimony is part of an inquiry into the proper adherence to Texas’ “junk science” law.
The legal battle surrounding Roberson’s case is unprecedented, as he was granted the privilege to testify in public after his execution was halted. Lawmakers are working with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and the Department of Public Safety to arrange the logistics for this unique situation. The bipartisan majority in the Texas House is advocating for a new trial for Roberson based on the new medical evidence.
This is not the first time Roberson’s execution has been stayed, as it was also halted in 2016. The Court of Criminal Appeals sent the case back for review at that time. District Attorney Allyson Mitchell defended the case against Roberson, stating that a murder had taken place. However, the new evidence presented by Roberson’s attorneys led to a determination that a new trial was not warranted.
In other news, an investigative report found that U.S. citizens were swept into the purge of non-citizens from the Texas voter rolls. The report revealed that of the reported 6,500 non-citizens removed, some were American citizens. The Secretary of State has cooperated with the investigation, but the Governor’s office has not responded to the findings. This situation has created distrust in the election process just weeks before the election.
The U.S. Senate race in Texas is heating up, with incumbent Senator Ted Cruz polling ahead of Democratic challenger U.S. Rep. Colin Allred. Allred’s polling numbers among independents are similar to Beto O’Rourke’s in 2018. The recent Senate debate focused on key issues like abortion and transgender rights, with Cruz advocating for state determination of abortion laws and Allred supporting the codification of Roe v. Wade.
Lastly, an appeals court has ordered the removal of U.S. District Judge Janis Jack from the Texas foster care case after more than a decade. The state requested her removal due to her conduct on the bench, and the ruling also reversed fines ordered against the state for contempt of court. The case will be reassigned to a new judge, marking a significant development in the ongoing legal battle for foster care reform in Texas.