The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops has expressed gratitude for the decision by the Texas Supreme Court and the Travis County 200th District Court to halt the execution of Robert Roberson. The court's action acknowledges a subpoena from the Texas House for Roberson to appear before the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, thereby postponing his execution.
"We are grateful to the Texas Supreme Court and the Travis County 200th District Court for stopping the execution of Robert Roberson tonight," stated the bishops. They also extended their prayers to Roberson and those advocating for justice on his behalf, including his daughter Nikki and other Texans. Acknowledgment was given to Representatives Joe Moody, Jeff Leach, Brian Harrison, Drew Darby, Rhetta Bowers, David Cook, Nate Schatzline, Lacey Hull, Christian Manuel, John Bucy, and Kronda Thimesch for their contributions to this outcome.
The bishops called upon Texans to demand justice for Roberson and oppose what they describe as "the execution of a likely innocent man." They emphasized that such an act would violate both divine and human laws. The statement urged a renewed effort towards reforming Texas's criminal justice system to honor human dignity and apply restorative justice principles to end capital punishment.
Roberson has been on death row for over two decades after being sentenced under what is described as the controversial shaken baby syndrome theory. His lack of emotional expression at the time of his daughter's medical emergency led to suspicion; however, he has since been diagnosed with autism—a condition often associated with reduced emotional expression.
The bishops pleaded for a comprehensive review of Roberson’s case in light of new research over more than twenty years that could shed light on his daughter's death. At the time of her passing in 2002, medical consensus did not recognize naturally occurring illnesses or short falls as causes for symptoms attributed to shaken baby syndrome. Recent evidence-based science challenges these earlier assumptions.
In 2013, Texas enacted legislation allowing prisoners to contest convictions based on advancements in forensic science. The bishops argue that Roberson should be afforded this opportunity as a just course of action.
