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And in a rare move, these advocates include a bipartisan majority of the Texas House, 86 legislators who are calling on Gov. Abbott to stop Robert’s execution, citing:
— Texas’ own “Junk Science Writ,” a law passed in 2013 allowing challenges to convictions that depend on disproven or incomplete science. Following a 2016 hearing on “voluminous new scientific evidence” in Robert’s case, he was denied a new trial — showing that “the courts have not honored the law’s intent.”
— Medical and legal consensus that “shaken baby syndrome” is junk science, including the doctor who established the theory, Dr. Norman Guthkelch, believing that what was intended as a guide for preventing injury has instead “become an excuse for imprisoning innocent parents.”
— Texas’ 2021 law, ensuring parents the right to a second expert medical opinion when there are allegations of child abuse, which would have allowed Robert an additional medical review of the case had he been accused today.
These 86 legislators agree that this new evidence, alongside updated medical and legal standards, “contradicts the hypothesis” used to try, convict, and sentence Robert to death.
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