Robert Roberson granted stay of execution by Texas court

LIVINGSTON – Palestine native and longtime death row inmate Robert Roberson has been granted a stay by a Texas court Thursday morning. The length of the stay is not yet known. The Dallas Morning News presents this stay not only as an opportunity to present new evidence, but to further look into allegations of judicial bias and misconduct during Roberson’s capital murder trial in Anderson County. Roberson has maintained his innocence for more than 22 years on death row and two previous execution dates as he and his attorneys say new evidence proves Nikki died of accidental and natural causes, including severe, undiagnosed pneumonia and a fall from bed. It is not yet know if the state will attempt to appeal the stay. Roberson, 58, is scheduled to be put to death by lethal injection Oct. 16 in Huntsville for his 2003 murder conviction.