Texas Faces Controversy Over Execution Based on Discredited Diagnosis

Robert Roberson's impending execution raises questions about the validity of shaken baby syndrome as a basis for capital punishment.

Robert Roberson, convicted for the 2002 death of his daughter, is set to be executed on October 17, despite claims of innocence and flawed evidence.
Shaken baby syndrome, the basis for Roberson's conviction, has been widely challenged and discredited in recent years, with experts suggesting alternative causes for the child's death.
Roberson's defense argues that his daughter's death was due to pneumonia and improper medication, not abuse, and calls for clemency have been supported by over 80 Texas lawmakers.
Roberson, diagnosed with autism in 2018, has faced criticism for his demeanor during the trial, which his legal team attributes to his condition.
The case has sparked debate over the application of Texas' 'junk science law,' intended to prevent wrongful convictions based on outdated or debunked scientific theories.