East Texas death row inmate Robert Roberson demands new trial

PALESTINE — Robert Roberson has been on death row for almost 20 years since he was convicted of murdering his daughter in 2003. According to our news partner KETK, he was set to be put to death in 2016 but was saved a few days before by a stay of execution. During his time on death row Roberson has maintained his innocence. Nikki Curtis was 2-years-old when she died after being taken to a hospital. Doctors had suspicions of child abuse saying she passed away from “shaken baby syndrome.” Roberson has presented new evidence showing his daughter was sickly, and saying at the time of her death she had undiagnosed pneumonia.

“This trial absolutely was about emotions and prejudices and amuck and the voice of reason was supposedly the shaken baby theory that suddenly made it all make since,” said Gretchen Sween, attorney for Robert Roberson. “I have such confidence in the integrity of the evidence,” said Sween. Roberson has returned to prison with the hope the judge will recommend a retrial. No decision was made today, instead, the judge will make her recommendation to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals on Feb. 15.