**Texas Supreme Court Allows Execution to Proceed in Controversial Shaken Baby Syndrome Case**

The Texas Supreme Court has ruled that the execution of Robert Roberson, who was convicted for the death of his 2-year-old daughter Nikki based on a shaken baby syndrome diagnosis, can move forward. This ruling, issued on Friday, overturns the court's previous intervention and is significant as Roberson was set to be the first person in the United States executed for a shaken baby syndrome murder conviction.

Initially scheduled for October 17, Roberson's execution was halted when the court intervened and a state House committee issued a subpoena for him to testify, triggering intense legal debates over his fate. With the execution warrant only being valid through October 17, Roberson's case has attracted widespread attention from legal experts and advocates.

Roberson's 2002 conviction was heavily reliant on testimony from a pediatrician who linked brain swelling and hemorrhages found in Nikki to shaken baby syndrome. However, Roberson's defense has highlighted newer evidence suggesting that Nikki's death was caused by severe viral and bacterial pneumonia that led to sepsis and septic shock. This evidence points to her having pneumonia and taking respiratory-suppressing medications in the days prior to her death.

Throughout the legal proceedings, Roberson has maintained his innocence. His bid for clemency has garnered support from several state lawmakers, medical professionals, scientific experts, and criminal justice advocates, who question the validity of the shaken baby syndrome diagnosis used in his case based on recent scientific findings.

Despite the push for clemency, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other state officials have argued that Roberson's death sentence was lawfully imposed and that he has exhausted all legal appeals. Paxton has also contended that the conviction was not solely based on shaken baby syndrome, a point disputed by Roberson's attorneys who noted its frequent mention during the trial.