The Wikipedia article [1] has a lot more details about the case including the extent of the child’s injuries (far more serious than his cover story would indicate) and Mr. Roberson’s prior history of physical abuse of ex spouses and his other children.
It appears that “shaken baby syndrome” was just one of the pieces of evidence that the state had in this case.
> Roberson's ex-girlfriend, as well as her daughter and one of her nieces—ages 10 and 11, respectively—testified that Roberson would shake and spank Curtis when she wouldn't stop crying. Roberson's ex-wife from a past marriage also testified that he physically beat and abused her. (Roberson's lawyers argue in his habeas corpus petition that the witnesses were biased, were not credible, and contradicted each other, and that the accusations only came out well after Roberson's arrest, following prodding and leading questions from police.)
and:
> "The condition of Nikki's lung tissue cannot be reconciled with the conclusion that her death was caused by blunt force head injuries, inflicted or otherwise," the lung pathologist, Francis Green, wrote in the habeas petition.
> The radiologist also concluded that there were not "multiple impacts" to Curtis' skull, as a doctor testified at Roberson's trial—just a single, minor impact that was insufficient to cause her death.
The other facts in the case are more compelling, possibly, than the fact he has autism. Are certain categories of people incapable of committing crimes?
It’s compelling because his emotional affect was a factor in the investigation and the jury’s consideration.
These type of situations are often complicated by the fact that many innocent people are not good people. With the additional context, a DA may charge with manslaughter or decline to prosecute.
The Wikipedia article [1] has a lot more details about the case including the extent of the child’s injuries (far more serious than his cover story would indicate) and Mr. Roberson’s prior history of physical abuse of ex spouses and his other children.
It appears that “shaken baby syndrome” was just one of the pieces of evidence that the state had in this case.
[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Roberson_case?wprov=sft...
For completeness, this article indicates: [1]
> Roberson's ex-girlfriend, as well as her daughter and one of her nieces—ages 10 and 11, respectively—testified that Roberson would shake and spank Curtis when she wouldn't stop crying. Roberson's ex-wife from a past marriage also testified that he physically beat and abused her. (Roberson's lawyers argue in his habeas corpus petition that the witnesses were biased, were not credible, and contradicted each other, and that the accusations only came out well after Roberson's arrest, following prodding and leading questions from police.)
and:
> "The condition of Nikki's lung tissue cannot be reconciled with the conclusion that her death was caused by blunt force head injuries, inflicted or otherwise," the lung pathologist, Francis Green, wrote in the habeas petition.
> The radiologist also concluded that there were not "multiple impacts" to Curtis' skull, as a doctor testified at Roberson's trial—just a single, minor impact that was insufficient to cause her death.
[1] https://reason.com/2024/08/12/texas-might-soon-become-the-fi...
The other facts in the case are more compelling, possibly, than the fact he has autism. Are certain categories of people incapable of committing crimes?
It’s compelling because his emotional affect was a factor in the investigation and the jury’s consideration.
These type of situations are often complicated by the fact that many innocent people are not good people. With the additional context, a DA may charge with manslaughter or decline to prosecute.