Robert Roberson, a Texas death row inmate, is being called to testify at a state House committee hearing, but it is unclear if he will be produced in person after the state’s attorney general filed a motion allowing the prison to disregard the subpoena. This is not the first time the attorney general has resisted a subpoena for Roberson to testify before lawmakers. The new hearing requires the Texas Department of Criminal Justice to transport Roberson from his prison to the state Capitol.
The attorney general’s office has cited security risks and procedural defects in the subpoena, while lawmakers argue that Roberson’s testimony is crucial in relation to a 2013 law that allows inmates to challenge convictions based on advances in forensic science. Roberson’s case involves a shaken baby death, and his defense believes new understanding of shaken baby syndrome could exonerate him.
The attorney general’s office has not set a new execution date for Roberson, but lawmakers and the attorney general have been engaged in a public dispute over his case. The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that lawmakers can compel Roberson to testify, but cannot effectively halt his execution. The House committee members are seeking Roberson’s testimony to shed light on flaws in the legal process that affected his case.
Roberson’s case has drawn attention to issues surrounding wrongful convictions and advancements in forensic science that could impact other cases in Texas. The controversy surrounding his testimony highlights the complexities of the criminal justice system and the pursuit of justice for individuals like Roberson.
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