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Dateline Originals

The Last Appeal - Ep. 1: Nikki

1/15/202629 min

When 2-year-old Nikki is rushed to a Texas hospital and doesn’t survive, her father, Robert Roberson, is accused of causing her death. Prosecutors say he shook and beat her in a case of "shaken baby syndrome." This episode originally published on October 6, 2025.

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Clips

Facing His Execution
Defense Lawyer’s First Interview
The Plea Deals Refused
Inflammatory Charge Dropped
Conceding To Save A Life
Juror Remembers The Bear

Transcript preview

First 90 seconds

  1. Lester Holt· Host0:00

    Hey guys, it's David.

  2. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:01

    And I'm Jason.

  3. Lester Holt· Host0:02

    And this is the Views podcast.

  4. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:03

    Yeah, and this is our podcast, and we talk about ... What do we talk about on here?

  5. Lester Holt· Host0:07

    We talk about scientific things.

  6. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:09

    Yes.

  7. Lester Holt· Host0:09

    We talk about friendship, we talk about sex.

  8. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:12

    Mm-hmm.

  9. Lester Holt· Host0:12

    We talk about rock and roll.

  10. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:13

    Mm-hmm.

  11. Lester Holt· Host0:13

    Talk about living in LA, being an influencer, not being an influencer. Jason trying to be an actor.

  12. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:18

    Yeah.

  13. Lester Holt· Host0:18

    Trying to figure out how to live life, and everything we say is mostly wrong.

  14. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:24

    Pretty much.

  15. Lester Holt· Host0:25

    Yeah, so don't take anything- Mm-hmm ... don't take anything seriously.

  16. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:28

    Mm-hmm.

  17. Lester Holt· Host0:28

    And just enjoy the ride. Sorry there's noise in the background. Our friend is [beep] filming a video.

  18. Kelly Garganus· Soundbite0:32

    [laughs] Listen to Views wherever you get your podcasts.

  19. Speaker 20:35

    Substance use disorder and addiction is so isolating. And so as a Black woman in recovery, hope must be loud. It grows louder when you ask for help and you're vulnerable. It is the thread that lets you know that no matter what happens, you will be okay.

  20. Speaker 30:55

    When we learn the power of hope, recovery is possible. Find out how at startwithhope.com. Brought to you by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Shatterproof, and the Ad Council.

  21. Larry Bowman· Soundbite1:05

    [gentle music] [keys jingling] [door opening and closing] Good morning to you, Mr. Holt.

  22. Lester Holt· Host1:18

    How are you?

  23. Larry Bowman· Soundbite1:18

    I'm blessed, I'm blessed.

  24. Lester Holt· Host1:20

    [chair clanking] I'm sitting in a plastic chair inside the notorious Polunsky Unit in West Livingston, Texas, death row.

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