Robert Robertson

Matter of fact, Judge Bentley told them that we were the parents.

Did you have to make the decision to take her off support?

On Friday, February 1, 2002, at 7.04 p.m., two-year-old Nikki was declared dead.

That same night, a judge signed an arrest warrant.

Palestine police took Robert Robertson into custody.

He asked me for forgiveness.

Prosecutors charged him with capital murder.

I forgave him and stuff, you know?

They were seeking the death penalty.

The trial was about to begin, and Roberts' attorney knew he had his work cut out for him.

Robert Robertson was locked up in the Anderson County Jail accused of killing his two-year-old daughter, Nikki.

Almost a year to the day after her death, opening statements in his trial began.

I mean, let's be honest, the crime that he was convicted of is horrifying.

The death of a child is a horrible, horrible thing and a difficult thing to really reckon with.

The prosecutor at Robert's trial, Doug Lowe, declined to speak with me, but I was able to track down Robert's lead defense attorney, who'd been appointed by the court.

His name is Steve Evans.

I met up with him near downtown Palestine.

Hey, Lester.

Nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you as well.