Shortly before lethal injection: Execution stopped at the last minute!

Houston - Robert Roberson (57) was due to be executed by lethal injection in a US prison. But shortly beforehand, the execution of the death sentence is suspended - for the time being.

At the very last moment, the Supreme Court in the US state of Texas has halted the controversial execution of a man for the time being.

Robert Roberson, now 57, allegedly shook his then two-year-old daughter to death in 2002 and has been in prison ever since.

According to the US media, the convicted man was diagnosed with autism in 2018. According to his legal team, this affects how he expresses emotions. According to the reports, Roberson maintains his innocence.

According to the reports, no one in the USA has ever been executed in connection with shaken baby syndrome.

The execution by lethal injection was originally scheduled for Thursday evening (local time).

However, the hearing is now scheduled for next Monday, US media reported. However, his future is still uncertain, as a new execution date can be set after the hearing.

The case had caused a stir in the USA due to doubts about the evidence. According to media reports, an original autopsy had revealed that the toddler had died from injuries caused by abuse. However, Roberson and his lawyers argue that the girl died of complications from pneumonia.

According to reports by CNN, Roberson had already arrived at the prison in Huntsville where the execution was to have taken place. In the end, however, the state supreme court granted the postponement.