Texas Governor Greg Abbott is seeking to void a subpoena that could potentially delay the execution of death row inmate Robert Roberson. Abbott filed a petition with the Texas Supreme Court arguing that the subpoena, issued by a district court in Harrison County, is “unreasonable and oppressive.”
Roberson, who was convicted of capital murder in 2003, is scheduled to be executed on June 16. The subpoena was issued as part of an ongoing lawsuit filed by Roberson’s attorneys, who are seeking to obtain DNA evidence that they believe could prove his innocence.
Abbott’s petition argues that allowing the subpoena to stand would set a dangerous precedent and could interfere with the state’s ability to carry out executions in a timely manner. The petition also claims that allowing the subpoena to proceed would disrupt the judicial process and undermine the finality of convictions.
In response to Abbott’s petition, Roberson’s attorneys have argued that the subpoena is necessary in order to fully investigate their client’s case and ensure that justice is served. They argue that the potential evidence could prove that Roberson was wrongly convicted and should be allowed to be presented in court.
The Texas Supreme Court will now have to decide whether to grant Abbott’s petition and void the subpoena, or allow the investigation to proceed. The outcome of this decision could have significant implications for Roberson’s case and for future death row inmates seeking to challenge their convictions.
As the legal battle continues to unfold, advocates on both sides of the case are closely watching to see how the court will ultimately rule on this important issue.
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