### Bipartisan Texas Lawmakers Delay Execution of Death Row Inmate with Legislative Subpoena

In an unexpected legal twist, a Texas man scheduled for execution has been granted more time following intervention from a bipartisan group of state lawmakers. Robert Roberson, convicted in the death of his 2-year-old daughter, faced his final moments before a legislative subpoena halted his execution.

On Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, Texas lawmakers visited Roberson at a prison in Livingston. The legislators assert that Roberson is actually innocent and should not face the death penalty. On Wednesday, the group took the unusual step of issuing a subpoena for Roberson, seeking his testimony on death penalty practices in Texas.

The controversy came to a head on Thursday afternoon when a court hearing was held to determine whether the legislative subpoena or the execution's death warrant carried more legal weight. Judge Jessica Mangrum ruled in favor of the temporary restraining order, effectively putting the execution on hold just 90 minutes before it was scheduled to proceed.

Roberson's conviction for capital murder was based on the accusation that his daughter died from shaken baby syndrome. However, new evidence has since emerged suggesting that her death was actually caused by pneumonia rather than abuse. Despite this, previous appeals for Roberson did not consider this new evidence.

Roberson is now slated to testify before Texas lawmakers on Monday, Oct. 21, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. The purpose of his testimony will be to provide insights into Texas' capital punishment practices.

Meanwhile, a representative for Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that the office will swiftly appeal to the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals, seeking to overturn the temporary restraining order. The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has stated that the execution, initially scheduled for Thursday evening, may still proceed pending the result of the ongoing legal battles, with the state having until midnight central time to act on the death warrant.

This developing story continues to unfold as legal teams and lawmakers grapple with Roberson's fate and the broader implications for the state's capital punishment system.