### Dr. Phil Testifies in Support of Autistic Death Row Inmate at Texas Legislature Hearing

In a significant turn of events, Dr. Phillip McGraw, popularly known as Dr. Phil, testified at a Texas legislative hearing regarding the case of Robert Roberson, a 57-year-old autistic death row inmate. Roberson’s execution was recently halted after a bipartisan group of lawmakers issued a subpoena, compelling Dr. Phil to testify on the inmate's behalf.

Roberson, currently detained at the Allan B. Polunsky Unit in Livingston, Texas, was convicted of capital murder in 2003 for the death of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, in 2002. Dr. Phil, who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology, has interviewed Roberson in prison and expressed strong concerns about the case during his testimony. "I am 100 percent convinced that we are facing a miscarriage of justice here," he told the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence. He emphasized that essential medical evidence, including Nikki's prior illnesses and medications, had been overlooked during the trial.

Dr. Phil's testimony was bolstered by statements from Terry Compton, an original juror in Roberson's trial, who indicated she would have found Roberson "not guilty" had she been aware of Nikki's medical history. The medical community has since revised its understanding of "shaken baby syndrome," the condition initially diagnosed in Nikki, to recognize that various medical factors can present similar symptoms.

Roberson was almost executed by lethal injection last week, but the legislative subpoena effectively granted him a 90-day stay of execution. The Texas Supreme Court intervened after the state's criminal appeals court and attorney general's office attempted to push forward with the execution despite the subpoena.

Governor Greg Abbott, who has the authority to grant clemency, argued that the legislative committee overstepped by issuing the subpoena, asserting that clemency decisions are his exclusive domain. His letter to the court backed a motion from the attorney general to reverse the decision allowing Roberson to testify.

Just days before Nikki’s fatal collapse, Roberson had taken her to the emergency room in Palestine, Texas, for severe respiratory issues. She was prescribed medications that have since been determined inappropriate for young children due to severe risk factors. Roberson has consistently maintained his innocence, a stance supported by recent medical expert opinions suggesting Nikki's death was due to compounded severe viral and bacterial infections leading to sepsis, rather than blunt-force trauma.

The legislative hearing continues to draw significant public and media attention as it questions the application of the 2013 "junk science statute," which is meant to prevent wrongful convictions based on outdated or debunked scientific theories. The outcome of Roberson's case remains uncertain as legal proceedings continue.