In Texas, the case of Robert Roberson, convicted of the 2002 murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki Curtis, continues to draw familial and political lines. While some lawmakers work towards proving his innocence, Curtis's family is voicing their unwavering belief in Roberson's guilt. According to Texas Scorecard, Nikki’s family members including her brother Matthew Bowman, alongside her aunt Jessica Carriere and grandfather Larry Bowman, have publicly challenged the actions of the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, contending that their one-sided portrayal of Roberson has neglected key aspects of the case.
The Committee's efforts to stay Roberson's execution briefly succeeded when he was subpoenaed to appear before them. With this legal maneuver put into suspension, the Bowmans and other relatives have chosen now to vehemently voice their concerns. "To that end, the family says that Roberson should be put to death based on the facts of the case and the evidence that led to the jury’s verdict," as they were quoted in the Texas Scorecard. In tandem, Governor Greg Abbott and a cohort of lawmakers have argued that the committee overstepped its authority in delaying the execution, asserting institutional overreach.
Stemming from a direct appeal to the Texas House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence, the family of Nikki Curtis insists that lawmembers should not forget compelling evidence which led to Roberson's verdict. "Given the one-sided picture of Mr. Roberson that has been recently portrayed in the media, we feel obliged to speak up and defend the real victim in this case, whose life was taken by the hands of Robert Roberson," the family emphasized in a letter obtained by Click2Houston. The family has pointed out the disregarded evidence from the original trial, which includes severe injuries to Nikki Curtis consistent with blunt force trauma not attributable to shaking, as well as Roberson's prior history of abuse.
Furthermore, the Curtis family letter, as detailed by Click2Houston, reiterates their openness to considering new evidence, but they remain convinced of Roberson's guilt. "The only thing we have ever wanted was to know what happened to Nikki and what caused her death," they wrote. "After hearing countless hours of testimony, we remain convinced that Mr. Roberson is guilty and directly responsible for Nikki’s death." Representative Cody Harris has called on the committee to give due weight to the family's pleas as they deliberate over Roberson's future.
