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Robert Roberson’s execution is temporarily stayed
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John, last night, an unprecedented legal move by a brave group of bipartisan Texas state legislators saved the life of Robert Roberson at the 11th hour before his scheduled execution.
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12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project
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On Wednesday evening, the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence voted unanimously to subpoena Robert ahead of his execution in a final effort to save his life.
On Thursday afternoon, just hours before his scheduled execution, a state district court judge in Travis County granted a temporary restraining order, allowing Robert to comply with the subpoena and testify before the committee on Monday, Oct. 21. This decision was quickly appealed by the attorney general and rescinded by the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals; and finally reinstated by the Texas Supreme Court after the same group of legislators petitioned the court directly late into the night on Thursday — temporarily staying Robert’s execution.
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"The full and vast team fighting for Mr. Roberson—people all across Texas, the country, and the world—are elated tonight that a brave, bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers chose to dig deep into the facts of his case that no court had yet considered and recognized that his life was worth fighting for. He lives to fight another day and hopes that his experience can help improve the integrity of our criminal legal system. Thank you to all who have supported his righteous cause."
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Gretchen Sween, attorney for Robert
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We are overjoyed that Robert is alive and are moved by the historic actions of Texas lawmakers to stop the state from carrying out an unjust and irreversible act. Yet, the fight for Robert is not over.
Robert's best hope at walking free from his wrongful conviction and decades spent behind bars for a crime that never occurred is to present new evidence of his innocence not yet heard by a court.
Join us in continuing to fight for Robert until he is home, by sharing his story widely:
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Thank you for all that you’ve done for Robert.
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Vanessa Potkin
Director of Special Litigation, Innocence Project
Co-Counsel for Robert Roberson
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P.S. Click here to receive a reminder to watch Robert's hearing with the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence live on Monday at 12pm CST.
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In memory of Marcellus "Khaliifah" Williams, Dec. 30, 1968 - Sept. 24, 2024
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