Last week, a state representative from North Texas sent a text message to a judge, expressing the belief that Robert Roberson, a death row inmate, deserves a new trial.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton wasted no time in accusing State Rep. Jeff Leach (R-Plano) of violating the state’s professional conduct rules with what he deemed as “unethical” text messages.
Paxton’s office made the text messages public on Monday. In those messages, Leach expresses the belief that only one judge on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals needs to change their mind for Roberson to be given another opportunity.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is expressing strong disapproval towards state lawmakers for postponing the execution of a man found guilty of murdering his 2-year-old daughter. He is also attempting to challenge the assertion that the man’s sentence was influenced by unreliable scientific evidence.
Within one hour of the attorney general’s office releasing the transcript of the text messages on Monday, the state representative acknowledged his mistake.
The Plano Republican lawmaker has been leading the charge to stop Roberson’s execution.
State Representative Jeff Leach, who has shared a close friendship and mentorship with Ken Paxton, is now facing a surprising turn of events. Paxton, the attorney general, is throwing his support behind Leach’s opponent. This unexpected move comes as Paxton aims to target Republicans in his own home county who were involved in the impeachment proceedings against him.
In a statement released on Monday afternoon, Leach confessed to sending a text message to Judge Michelle Slaughter, one of the five judges who had denied Roberson’s latest appeal.
In their text exchange, Leach initiated the conversation by expressing their dilemma to the judge: “Judge, I’ve been contemplating whether or not to send you this message… Just one judge, that’s all it takes to acknowledge… there are numerous questions, gaps, and a significant amount of uncertainty… and Robert Roberson deserves a fresh chance at a trial.”
A man scheduled to testify before members of the Texas Legislature on Monday afternoon, who is currently on death row, ultimately did not appear. However, notable figures such as Dr. Phil and author John Grisham did provide their testimonies, along with a former juror from the trial.
Roberson faced execution on Thursday, October 17, over two decades after he received a conviction for the murder of his 2-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis.
The Texas House committee issued a subpoena for Roberson to testify, which ultimately resulted in the Texas Supreme Court putting a halt to his execution.
A group of lawmakers from different political backgrounds, led by Rep. Leach, have raised doubts about the scientific basis for Roberson’s death sentence. Their main concern is the diagnosis of shaken baby syndrome after her death.
Roberson’s execution is currently on hold, and as a result, his testimony is also being delayed.
AG Paxton is refusing to allow Roberson to appear in person.State lawmakers responded to the attorney general’s report with a comprehensive 16-page rebuttal, asserting that the report was not only misleading but also largely untrue.
A House panel took advantage of its influential platform to expose Roberson’s limited choices and strongly condemn the flaws in the state’s junk science law.
According to Coale, the Court of Criminal Appeals might reconsider the case as long as it remains a public concern and the defendant’s execution has not taken place. He believes that the close vote and potential changes within the court could be influential factors in their decision.
In a swift response on Monday, Roberson’s younger brother issued a public statement, passionately defending his brother’s character as a caring and devoted parent.
The attorney general’s office has informed the Texas Supreme Court about the “ex-parte” communications.