Texas Lawmakers Want Death Row Inmate's Story on Shaken Baby Syndrome

A group of Texas legislators from both parties has issued a new request for death row inmate Robert Roberson to testify in person about his case. This comes after an earlier request delayed his execution, which was set to be the first in the country related to a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis. The House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence wants to hear from Roberson about a 2013 law that allows prisoners to challenge convictions based on new scientific evidence. They believe this law might have been overlooked in Roberson's case. The committee is waiting for a response from the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.

Roberson's lawyer is happy about the chance for him to speak, hoping it won't be blocked. Roberson was sentenced to death in 2003 for killing his 2-year-old daughter. His lawyers argue that she didn't die from being shaken but from pneumonia complications. Lawmakers and experts support Roberson, saying he was convicted on faulty evidence. A subpoena issued in October delayed his execution after several courts rejected his request. The Texas Supreme Court then said a subpoena can't stop an execution but allowed another for testimony if it doesn't block the execution.

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