In this edition:
Scheduled executions: The latest developments in the case of Robert Roberson and how you can help
TCADP 2026 Annual Conference: Nominate an individual or organization for an Appreciation, Courage, or Media Award
Featured events: TCADP Book Group meeting tonight with the author (on Zoom); Wrongful Conviction Day in Fort Worth; roundtable discussion on the death penalty in San Antonio; and an evening with Bryan Stevenson in Austin
Scheduled executions
Two weeks from tomorrow, on October 16, 2025, Texas is set to execute Robert Roberson for a crime that never occurred. Robert is an innocent father with Autism who has spent over 20 years on death row in Texas. No court has yet reviewed the mountain of new evidence proving that the tragic 2002 death of Robert’s chronically ill toddler, Nikki, resulted from illness, medical error, and accident.
If Robert’s execution is not stayed, he will be the first person executed in the United States for a conviction obtained using the now widely debunked “Shaken Baby Syndrome” (SBS) hypothesis. As of this writing, his appeals and motions for a stay of execution remain pending with the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.
Here’s a recap of recent developments:
– On September 4, the Center for Integrity in Forensic Sciences released an open letter to Texas authorities signed by nearly two dozen exonerees. At a press conference announcing the letter, four exonerees – two of whom were, like Robert, wrongfully convicted based on the SBS hypothesis – urged Texas authorities to stop his execution.
– On September 24, the Autism Society of Texas and Autism Society of America issued an open letter that similarly called on Texas authorities to prevent Robert’s execution. Those organizations also hosted a webinar entitled “Robert Roberson, Autism, and Injustice,” during which four renowned experts in Autism discussed how Autistic individuals like Robert are often misjudged and mistreated in courtrooms, police interactions, and incarceration settings. A recording of the program is available here.
– Another powerful voice calling on Texas to prevent an irreparable injustice is best-selling author John Grisham. On September 10, Grisham revealed that his next book, “SHAKEN: The Rush to Execute an Innocent Man,” will be published in June 2026. Grisham said in announcing the book, “The wrongful conviction of Robert Roberson has been an ongoing tragedy for over twenty years. If it now becomes a wrongful execution, it will live in infamy. We don’t know its final chapter, but I’ll be there to record the outcome.”
What’s next and how you can help
1. Attend the Rally for Robert
A broad coalition of supporters will gather at the Texas State Capitol in Austin on Saturday, October 4, 2025, at 1 PM to urge the State not to execute Robert Roberson. The event will feature Brian Wharton, the former lead detective who testified on behalf of the prosecution at Robert’s trial but now believes firmly in his innocence, the director of the Autism Society of Texas, a state lawmaker, and Robert’s longtime attorney, among other powerful voices. Statements will be read from John Grisham and Robert Roberson.
Parking is available in the Capitol Visitors Parking Garage and on the street.
Help us send a message to the authorities in Texas: The whole world is watching.
2. Share this video of former detective Brian Wharton to your social media accounts.
We need your help with amplifying his powerful call for Texas to stop Robert’s execution in the name of truth and justice.
3. Call the Governor.
Call Texas Governor Greg Abbott at 737-277-6778 and urge him to use his power to stop Robert’s execution.
4. Listen to the podcast
Tune into “The Last Appeal,” a four-episode podcast from Lester Holt in his first original Dateline podcast series. Lester is on the ground in Texas, where he examines the evidence against Robert and talks to the people closest to the case. Lester’s exclusive interviews reveal critical information the jury never heard. Follow “The Last Appeal” and start listening on Monday, October 6, 2025.
Please share the information above with your networks!
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In addition to Robert, seven men face execution in other states this month.
To date in 2025, 34 people have been executed nationwide by 10 states. This includes five men in Texas. After four months with no executions here, the State put Blaine Milam to death on September 25, 2025. Texas has now executed 596 people since 1982. Florida alone accounts for more than one-third of the executions this year.
TCADP is accepting nominations for our annual Courage, Appreciation, and Media Awards. With these awards, we recognize outstanding individuals and organizations who have made significant and selfless contributions towards ending the death penalty in Texas. All award recipients will be honored during the TCADP 2026 Annual Conference, which will take place in Houston, Texas on Saturday, March 7, 2026. Stay tuned for more details about this informative and inspirational day of advocacy.
The deadline for submitting award nominations is October 17, 2025. View a list of past award recipients.
TCADP Book Group
The TCADP Book Group meets every six to eight weeks on Zoom and reads a mix of fiction, non-fiction, and memoirs. Our next selection is Angel of Death Row: My Life as a Death Penalty Defense Lawyer by Andrea Lyon. We will discuss the book with Ms. Lyon tonight, Wednesday, October 1, 2025, at 7:00 PM CT. Register here. (Note: If you have signed up for previous book group meetings, you do not need to register again.)
Wrongful Conviction Day
On Thursday, October 2, 2025, Texas Christian University and House of Renewed Hope will host a special event in recognition of International Wrongful Conviction Day. It is free and open to the public and will feature attorneys, judges, investigators, and exonerees.
The event will take place on the TCU campus from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM in the Brown-Lupton University Union (BLUU) 3301 A&B (2901 Stadium Drive Fort Worth, TX 76129). Map and directions here.
Death penalty roundtable discussion
The Department of Criminology & Political Science at Texas A&M University-San Antonio will host “The Texas Death Penalty: A roundtable discussion on the past, present, and future of capital punishment” on Thursday, October 23, 2025, from 2:00 to 3:30 PM. The event is free and open to the public and will take place in BLH 134 – Multipurpose Room on the main campus (One University Way, San Antonio, TX 78224). Map and directions here.
An evening with Bryan Stevenson
On Monday, November 17, 2025, the Paramount Theatre and Tejemos Foundation in Austin will host Bryan Stevenson: A Conversation on Social Justice. The renowned attorney is the founder of the Equal Justice Initiative in Montgomery, Alabama and author of Just Mercy. Tickets here.
Thank you for standing with us as we tell the authorities in Texas: The whole world is watching.