AUSTIN, Tx — The nation's first execution of a person convicted in a " shaken baby syndrome " case was halted Thursday when Texas' highest criminal court ruled in the condemned man's favor.

Robert Roberson, 58, had faced an Oct. 16 execution date for capital murder in the 2002 death of his young daughter, Nikki. But the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals said in an order that it would grant an emergency motion for a stay of execution "pending the resolution" of his claim, referring it back to the trial court.

For more on this case, listen to episodes of the “Dateline” podcast “The Last Appeal.”

The case has been championed by a bipartisan group of Texas lawmakers who used their legislative power a year ago to help block Roberson's execution in a last-minute maneuver.

State Rep. Jeff L

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