Robert Roberson- Autistic Innocent Man, Execution Date 10/17


Photo: 12/19/23, Livingston, Texas: Robert Roberson photographed through plexiglass at TDCJ Polunsky Unit. Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project.

The Autism Society of Texas and Autism Society of America support clemency for Robert Roberson, wrongfully convicted of a crime he did not commit, with an execution date set for October 17, 2024. Compiled below are videos and articles about the case, the Innocence Project’s petition link, and the Autism Society’s Clemency Letter and Action Alert.

We ask that you consider completing the Innocence Project’s petition supporting Roberson’s clemency, and/or the Autism Society’s Action Alert to draw attention to the case and request that Governor Abbott consider clemency, which may provide a reprieve of execution or other options that would stop or delay his October 17th execution. Read more about clemency.

“The prosecution’s reliance on misjudgment and bias against Mr. Roberson’s Autistic behavior, suggests a rush to judgment substantially influenced by criminalizing disability.”
     Christopher Banks, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, in a letter to Governor Abbott and the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

TAKE ACTION!

Sign the Innocence Project’s Petition Here

Complete Autism Society Action Alert Here

Media Coverage and Autism Society’s Clemency Letter

Autism Society’s Clemency Letter to Governor Abbott and the Board of Pardons and Paroles
Thank you to The Arc of Texas, Coalition of Texans with Disabilities, Family to Family Network, Texas Parent to Parent, Texans for Special Education Reform, and Autism Speaks for lending their support.

NBC News “Texas man could be first to be executed in case of ‘shaken baby’ death”

Video-view it here.

KXAN -NBC Austin “Texas lawmakers urge mercy for autistic man set to be executed in child’s death” Video-view it here.

KVUE- ABC Austin “Attorneys for Texas death row inmate take new step in quest for clemency”  Video-view it here.

Innocence Project “An Autistic Man Faces Execution: Misdiagnosis, Misjudgment, and a Life on the Line”  Read it here.

Houston Chronicle op.ed by Psychologist Dr. Natalie Montfort, “Doctors and the prosecutor say an autistic man didn’t kill his child. Will Texas put him to death?”  Read it here.
New York Times “I Put Him on Death Row. He Shouldn’t Die.” Video- view it here.
Thank you for learning more about the plight of Mr. Roberson. For questions, please contact Jacquie Benestante at Autism Society of Texas at jacquie@texasautismsociety.org.