You may have read articles about a Texas man, who has autism, who is sitting on death row.

Time is running out for Robert Roberson, a man who may soon be executed for a crime he may not have committed. Convicted of killing his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki, in 2002, Roberson’s criminal defense lawyer argues that his conviction is based on outdated and questionable medical evidence—shaken baby syndrome. As the clock ticks toward his execution, we ask: What if we’re about to take the life of an innocent man?

Shaken baby syndrome, once considered indisputable, has come under intense scrutiny over the past few decades. The science behind wrongful conviction cases like Roberson’s highlights how flawed medical diagnoses can lead to wrongful death penalty sentences. Medical experts now acknowledge that subdural bleeding, brain swelling, and retinal hemorrhages—the so-called “triad” of injuries used to diagnose shaken baby syndrome—can result from various causes, including natural illnesses. In Roberson’s case, his criminal defense attorney argues that Nikki’s death was the tragic outcome of an undiagnosed illness and complications from medication—not abuse.

The stakes couldn’t be higher. Once the state takes Roberson’s life, there’s no coming back. A wrongful execution would highlight the system’s failure to preven wrongful convictions in death penalty cases, and it raises a question that should haunt us all: How many others are in the same position?

The Flawed Science of Shaken Baby Syndrome

Roberson’s case highlights the dangers of relying on outdated forensic science in criminal defense cases. In the years since his trial, criminal lawyers and medical experts have cast doubt on shaken baby syndrome. The symptoms once believed to be definitive proof of child abuse are now known to result from various medical conditions, such as infections, accidental injuries, or even birth trauma.

In Roberson’s case, his daughter had been battling severe medical issues in the days before her death. She was diagnosed with a respiratory infection and had been running a dangerously high fever. Yet, the court at the time ignored these medical facts, focusing instead on the discredited theory of shaken baby syndrome. Robert Roberson, with the help of his experienced criminal defense lawyer, has continued to fight for justice.

The Human Cost of Wrongful Convictions

This case is about more than flawed science—it’s about human lives. Brian Wharton, the detective who originally investigated Roberson’s case, now firmly believes he made a mistake. “I sincerely hope the governor and the board will step in,” Wharton said, expressing deep regret for his role in the prosecution. If a seasoned investigator can realize that the system failed, how many others on death row may be in the same situation?

The tragic reality is that criminal defense cases involving death penalty convictions require meticulous review to avoid irreversible errors. No one can undo a wrongful execution. With experienced criminal defense attorneys raising doubts and advancing new scientific evidence, courts must allow for a reevaluation.

A Call for Justice and Action

At JustCharged.com, we believe that criminal defense lawyers are essential in ensuring wrongful convictions do not lead to irreversible consequences like execution. No one should face the death penalty when there’s reasonable doubt about their guilt, especially when outdated science is at the core of their conviction. As new evidence emerges and medical understanding evolves, the justice system must examine every criminal defense case thoroughly and fairly when issues like this one isearise.

The fight for justice isn’t just for the courts—it’s for the public to engage in as well. Every voice can help ensure that an innocent person doesn’t pay the ultimate price due to a flawed system.