Gretchen Swinn

Texas wanted to kill Robert before his death warrant expired at midnight.

The court vacated the stay.

The execution was back on.

The lawmakers who had subpoenaed Robert fired back, this time to the Texas Supreme Court, arguing they needed Robert alive to hear from him.

Inside the death house, Robert was given his last meal.

The chaplain prayed with him.

Then, just after 10pm, with less than two hours before a needle would be placed in his arm,

Robert was saved, but only temporarily.

One year later, he was given his third execution date, October 16th, 2025.

It left his supporters asking, why had others convicted of shaken baby syndrome been exonerated, even in Texas, when Texas was trying to kill Robert?

Next time on The Last Appeal.

How could it be that you were exonerated in the state of Texas and Robert Robertson is now facing death?

Have you thought about, last words, what you'll say?

Well, that's a good one there.

The Last Appeal is a production of Dateline and NBC News.

It is written and produced by Dan Slepian, Liz Brown-Kurloff, and Lynn Keller.

Our field producers are Nick McElroy and Rachel Young.

Our associate producer is Sam Springer.

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