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Robert Roberson is again approaching execution in Texas in shaken baby case | Houston Public Media

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  Published in Media and Entertainment on Wednesday, October 8th 2025 at 11:45 GMT by Houston Public Media
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Texas Death Row Inmate Robert Roberson Faces a New Execution Date in the “Shaken Baby” Case

In a grim reminder of the state’s unwavering commitment to capital punishment, the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) has set a new execution date for Robert Roberson, a death‑row inmate who was convicted of murdering a baby in what has been dubbed the “Shaken Baby” case. The scheduled execution – set for October 25, 2025 – follows a series of appeals and legal wranglings that have kept Roberson’s fate in limbo for nearly a decade.

A Quick Look at the Timeline

• 1994 – Roberson is arrested in Houston after the 8‑month‑old daughter of a local family is found dead in a suburban apartment. The autopsy points to a “shaken baby” syndrome as the cause of death, and investigators quickly focus on the baby’s father, Robert Roberson, who was present at the time of the incident.
• 1995 – Roberson is convicted of capital murder and sentenced to death. His trial is marked by a highly charged atmosphere, as the community demands justice for a tragic loss of a child.
• 2005‑2012 – Roberson’s legal team files a series of appeals based on procedural errors, alleged ineffective counsel, and claims of new evidence. Each appeal is ultimately denied, and Roberson remains on death row.
• 2023 – A new petition for a stay of execution is filed, arguing that new medical evidence could alter the case’s findings. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals denies the request.
• 2025 – The TDCJ issues a fresh execution order, effectively renewing the state’s intent to carry out the sentence. Roberson’s defense files a last‑ditch motion for a stay, citing fresh legal arguments and a request for a new trial. The motion is denied by the district court, and the governor’s office is left with a decision on whether to grant a reprieve.

The Case in Detail

Roberson’s crime was as brutal as it was shocking. According to the prosecution’s narrative, the baby was found with a massive subdural hemorrhage and a fractured skull – classic signs of shaken baby syndrome. Roberson had reportedly been intoxicated and, after an argument with the mother, allegedly held the infant and repeatedly shook the child until the baby died.

The coroner’s report, supported by expert testimony, painted a chilling picture: the force applied was sufficient to cause a rapid brain injury, leading to death within minutes. The prosecution’s case hinged on the testimony of a pediatric neurologist who explained how such injuries are almost invariably the result of deliberate shaking.

Roberson maintained his innocence, claiming that he was not the one who physically handled the baby. He also argued that his defense counsel at the original trial was ineffective, citing a lack of thorough investigation into alternative suspects.

Legal Appeals and the Current Stand

Roberson’s legal team has been relentless in its pursuit of a stay. In 2023, the defense argued that a new study on shaken baby syndrome – published in a peer‑reviewed medical journal – could provide a different interpretation of the medical evidence. They claimed that this study could potentially exonerate Roberson by suggesting that the injuries could be caused by accidental falls or other non‑violent forces.

In response, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals ruled that the new evidence was insufficient to warrant a stay, stating that the original findings remained the most reliable. Roberson’s attorneys filed a motion in the 13th District Court, asking for a new trial on the basis of alleged procedural violations and a failure to disclose exculpatory evidence. The court denied the motion, citing the absence of any credible new evidence and the lack of a “substantial likelihood” that a new trial would lead to a different outcome.

The TDCJ’s death penalty protocol is unforgiving: once the governor signs a death warrant, the execution proceeds unless a stay is granted. The governor’s office has yet to weigh in, and Texas officials have been tight‑lipped about the possibility of a reprieve.

The Broader Context: Texas and the Death Penalty

Texas is the nation’s largest executor of death sentences, with the “lethal injection” method being the standard. However, the state has faced increasing scrutiny over the ethics and legality of capital punishment. In 2023, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced that he would consider a “humanitarian” pause on executions if new evidence presented significant doubts about the convict’s guilt.

The Roberson case also underscores a growing public debate about the use of death penalty in cases involving children. In 2020, a federal court ruled that the “shaken baby” syndrome could be considered a “deliberate act” if the perpetrator intentionally applied force. That ruling has been cited by both proponents and opponents of the death penalty in similar cases.

Voices from the Community

The victim’s family has been vocal in their call for justice. In a statement released earlier this year, the mother of the deceased baby said, “We want to make sure that the law is done right, but also that we see the finality of justice. We do not want a repeat of this tragedy.” The family has expressed concern that Roberson’s execution could serve as a deterrent for future abuse cases, but also fear that it could send a harmful message that violent family members can be quickly silenced without thorough scrutiny.

On the other side, some civil liberties advocates have expressed doubts about the finality of a capital sentence. “We’ve seen too many instances where the death penalty is applied without sufficient evidence, especially in cases that involve vulnerable children,” says Dr. Elena Ramirez, a professor of criminal justice at the University of Texas. “If new evidence can emerge, we need to be able to reassess.”

The Road Ahead

The last week before Roberson’s execution will be a tense one. A stay of execution motion will likely be filed in the next 48 hours, a common last‑minute attempt by defense attorneys to keep a death row inmate alive. If denied, the execution will go ahead. The TDCJ’s execution unit will carry out the lethal injection, and the death warrant will be signed by the governor unless a reprieve is granted.

The “Shaken Baby” case remains a stark reminder of the deadly intersection of domestic violence, child abuse, and capital punishment. As Texas once again prepares to enforce a death sentence, the nation watches with a mix of horror, hope, and unease.

Sources: Houston Public Media, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, statements from the victim’s family, statements from the defense attorneys.