HUNTSVILLE — A Travis County judge granted a temporary restraining order Thursday, pausing the scheduled execution of Robert Roberson.
The order comes after Texas lawmakers issued a subpoena to 57-year-old Roberson Wednesday night in a last-minute legal effort to stop his execution, which would be the first in the country connected to a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis.Â
“This is an extraordinary remedy,” said Representative Jeff Leach said during arguments Thursday. “But it is not undue.” Â
Republicans and Democrats on the House Criminal Justice Committee believe Roberson deserves a new trial based on the medical theory that the 2002 death of his chronically ill 2-year-old daughter was caused by violent shaking, known as shaken baby syndrome, which has been widely dismissed by many experts as junk science.Â
Leach said over 80 legislators signed a letter “calling for the pause button into Roberson’s execution,” believing his testimony is vitally necessary.
The subpoena came after the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles on Wednesday denied a request for clemency for Roberson.
Over the last two days, Roberson’s attorney with The Innocence Project expressed confidence that his life would be spared.Â