"I Have Often Been Misunderstood as Rude Due to My ADHD and Social Anxiety — But Should I Be Executed for This?"

Misunderstandings are a part of life. For people like me, living with ADHD and social anxiety, first impressions can sometimes lead to unfair judgments. My flat affect or inability to respond "appropriately" in stressful situations can be seen as disinterest or even indifference. But imagine this: Should I be sentenced to death because of how I react under pressure?

This isn't a rhetorical question. Robert Roberson, a man with undiagnosed autism, faces this tragic reality. Set to be executed on October 17, 2024, in Texas, Roberson has spent over 20 years on death row for the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki, a crime new evidence strongly suggests he didn’t commit.

Roberson’s case began in 2002, when his chronically ill daughter passed away after a fall from bed. Nikki had been suffering from high fevers and respiratory issues, conditions exacerbated by powerful medications like Phenergan, which were prescribed despite known risks to young children. When Roberson rushed her to the hospital, doctors suspected child abuse because of the symptoms they saw — brain swelling and bleeding behind the eyes. These symptoms fit the triad of what was then known as "shaken baby syndrome" (SBS). But here’s the problem: Science now debunks SBS as a definitive cause of child death. It’s not the smoking gun that doctors and prosecutors once thought.

At the time of his trial in 2003, the medical community widely accepted SBS as proof of child abuse. Robert Roberson's legal defense didn’t even challenge the diagnosis. Worse, his autism made it difficult for him to display emotions in ways society expects. Hospital staff and law enforcement interpreted his flat affect as guilt. This sealed his fate.

In the years since, overwhelming new medical evidence has emerged, showing that Nikki’s death was likely caused by severe pneumonia and septic shock, conditions overlooked by medical professionals at the time. Three medical experts have come forward to explain exactly how Nikki’s condition worsened in the days leading up to her death, with toxic levels of respiratory-suppressing drugs contributing to her tragic passing.

Despite this, Roberson’s appeals have been repeatedly denied. In a recent and disturbing development, even the original lead detective on his case, Brian Wharton, has come forward, admitting that the science used to convict Roberson was flawed, and that he now believes Roberson is innocent.

Yet, unless Governor Greg Abbott or the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles intervenes, Roberson will be executed for a crime that, based on the latest scientific understanding, never happened.

What can you do to help prevent this tragic miscarriage of justice? First, spread the word. Raising awareness of Robert Roberson’s case is essential. Secondly, you can join the Innocence Project in their efforts to stop this execution by signing their petition or contacting Governor Abbott's office to request clemency for Robert Roberson. Time is running out, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

References:

- Innocence Project. "What to Know About Robert Roberson Facing Execution on Oct. 17 in Texas for a Crime That Never Occurred." [Read more here](11).

- KVUE. "Robert Roberson: Attorneys Take New Step to Try to Stop Execution." [Read more here](12).

- Texas Observer. "Junk Science, ‘Shaken Baby Syndrome,’ and the Fate of Robert Roberson." [Read more here](13).

- Austin American-Statesman. "Texas Judge Sets October Execution Date for Robert Roberson Case." [Read more here](14).

How You Can Help:

- Sign the petition to stop Robert Roberson's execution: Here(https://innocenceproject.org/what-to-know-about-robert-roberson-on-texas-death-row-for-a-crime-that-never-occurred/).

- Contact Governor Abbott’s office at 361-264-9653 to request clemency for Robert Roberson.

Let’s ensure that the justice system does not make a mistake that can never be undone. Help us give Robert Roberson the fair trial he deserves.