Death Row and Junk Science: The Robert Roberson Case

In 2003, Robert Roberson was sentenced to death for the murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, based on a theory known as Shaken Baby Syndrome. But what if the science that put him on death row was wrong?

In this episode of Dead Diary, we unravel the controversial case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man now facing execution on October 16, 2025, despite mounting evidence that challenges every cornerstone of his conviction. From flawed medical testimony and undiagnosed autism to a shifting scientific consensus on SBS, this story raises urgent questions about how justice is served and whether our legal system is equipped to handle the truth when science evolves.

We examine the triad of symptoms once considered indisputable proof of abuse, how new forensic findings point to undiagnosed pneumonia and medication complications, and why experts, lawmakers, and even the detective who helped convict Roberson now say he may be innocent.

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