Robert Roberson is an innocent father with autism who has been wrongfully convicted and sentenced to death for a crime that never occurred. His autism played a pivotal role in the rush to judgment in his case.

Robert was a caring father to his 2-year-old daughter Nikki. In 2002, Nikki was sick with a high fever and suffered a short fall from bed. After Robert took her to the hospital, staff there interpreted his seemingly blank reaction to Nikki’s serious condition as callousness, when in fact his autism explained his non-neurotypical response to the emergency.

Robert was wrongly convicted under the “shaken baby syndrome” hypothesis — a condition that was never scientifically validated and the premises of which have been discredited by actual science — and sentenced to death. 

Now, organizations like the Autism Society of America and the Autism Society of Texas are demanding justice for Robert:

“Robert Roberson’s Autism, which affects social and emotional processing, led to a lack of visible emotional response – a characteristic misinterpreted during his trial as a sign of guilt. This tragic misjudgment, combined with the absence of expert testimony on Autism, culminated in a wrongful conviction, in which we urge Governor Abbott to grant clemency.”

— Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America

Robert’s case is riddled with unscientific evidence, inaccurate and misleading medical testimony, and prejudicial treatment. With time running out to stop the execution of Robert on Oct. 17, we need you to act now, John.

This is an innocent man whose life will be taken unless Gov. Abbott uses his power to intervene. We urge you to call Gov. Abbott and ask him to halt this execution and ensure that all the facts are thoroughly reviewed:

Thank you, 

Innocence Project

In memory of Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams, Dec. 30, 1968 - Sept. 24, 2024