Dateline NBC – The Last Appeal: Episode 1 – Nikki (October 10, 2025)

Episode Overview

In the series premiere of "The Last Appeal," Dateline NBC's Lester Holt embarks on an in-depth investigation into the deeply troubling case of Robert Roberson, a Texas man scheduled for execution for the capital murder of his two-year-old daughter, Nikki. Through firsthand interviews, original reporting, and a re-examination of evidence and key players, the episode questions whether justice was truly served or if a critical miscarriage might be about to unfold. The episode sets the stage for the season, presenting new details and previously unheard voices as the countdown to execution day continues.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Setting the Stage: Death Row Interview and Introduction (01:10–03:23)

• Lester Holt sits across from Robert Roberson on Texas Death Row, introducing listeners to the high stakes: “On October 16, 2025, Robert is scheduled to die by lethal injection. How are you preparing for your own death, your own execution?” (01:19)
• Robert Roberson: “I'm at peace if it. If it happens.” (01:34)
• The gravity of the upcoming execution is highlighted, along with Robert’s insistence on his innocence.

2. The Crime and Immediate Suspicion (03:23–12:04)

• Events leading to Nikki’s hospital admission are reconstructed through interviews with the medical staff and family.
• Nurse Kelly Garganis recalls the morning Nikki was brought in: “There was a baby in her lap that was blue. Literally probably the bluest I've ever seen of a child.” (05:06)
• Robert’s demeanor and explanation—that Nikki fell from a 12-inch-high bed—immediately raised suspicion among staff: “He had a very flat affect. I just know his behavior was not what you would normally see if it was a father taking care of their child that fell off the bed.” (06:36 – Garganis)
• Detective Brian Wharton is called in after medical staff suspect abuse. He found Robert emotionless and his account odd: “We didn't find anything that looked like violence... Nothing looked like violence.” (09:41)
• One specific moment stands out: “He was hungry and so he wanted to go make a ham sandwich...” (10:44)

3. Family Context and Custody Background (13:23–19:18)

• Lester Holt visits Nikki’s grandparents, Larry and Verna Bowman, who raised Nikki for most of her life due to her mother’s struggles with addiction.
• Larry Bowman: “She did not want to go to him, but I didn't think nothing about it. I thought, well, that's just because she don't want to leave me and Mama, you know?” (15:42)
• The Bowmans recall their heartbreak and guilt over relinquishing Nikki to Robert, who had legally obtained custody after getting out of prison.

4. Medical Evidence and the Shaken Baby Syndrome Diagnosis (18:07–20:32)

• Dr. Janet Squires, a pediatrician, finds what she calls classic signs of “shaken baby syndrome”: bleeding behind the eyes, brain swelling, and subdural hematoma.
• This medical diagnosis becomes the keystone of the prosecution’s case.

5. The Arrest and Charges (20:32–21:14)

• Nikki is declared dead on February 1, 2002; Robert is arrested the same night and charged with capital murder.
• The state seeks the death penalty, and the trial looms.

6. The Trial: Legal Strategies and Emotional Testimony (22:40–30:43)

• Robert’s defense attorney, Steve Evans, speaks about the overwhelming evidence: “Something happened to that child... That child had a number of injuries and he was the only one there.” (24:20)
• The prosecution calls powerful witnesses:
  • Nurse Kelly Garganis testifies she was “so disgusted by Robert's behavior, she wanted to spit on it.” (25:26)
  • Detective Wharton and Teddy Cox, the girlfriend, both describe Robert as emotionless or violent.
  • Teddy’s 10-year-old daughter demonstrates in court how Robert allegedly shook Nikki using a teddy bear, deeply impacting the jury.
• Steve Evans describes how a sexual abuse accusation, later dropped, fueled the prejudice against Robert: “Absolutely none. This was pure inflammatory.” (27:59)
• Evans’ defense strategy is to concede that Robert did something wrong—suggesting overwhelming parental stress—hoping for leniency in sentencing.

7. The Jury’s Swift Decision and Aftermath (29:44–30:51)

• Juror Terry Compton recalls the impact of the evidence, especially the autopsy photos and the shaking demonstration: “I sit there and thought, well, yeah… if you have a man, Robert size shaking, a baby, I could see where it maybe could have done some violently brain damage.” (30:32)
• Jury deliberation is brief—Robert is convicted and sentenced to death.

8. Questions Remain and New Avenues (30:51–31:47)

• Years later, a woman begins re-examining the case, uncovering details in the medical records: “I'm reading medical records and I'm about to fall out of my chair.” (31:22)
• The episode closes teasing upcoming revelations and new doubts about the integrity of Robert’s conviction: “If they go through with it, they're killing an innocent man.” (31:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Robert Roberson, on impending execution: "I'm at peace if it. If it happens." (01:34)
• Nurse Kelly Garganis, recalling Nikki's condition: "There was a baby in her lap that was blue. Literally probably the bluest I've ever seen of a child." (05:06)
• Kelly Garganis, on Robert’s behavior: "He had a very flat affect. I just know his behavior was not what you would normally see if it was a father..." (06:36)
• Detective Wharton, about the scene at home: "Nothing looked like violence." (09:41)
• Detective Wharton, on Robert’s odd behavior: “He was hungry and so he wanted to go make a ham sandwich.” (10:44)
• Larry Bowman, about giving Nikki to Robert: “She did not want to go to him, but I didn't think nothing about it..." (15:42)
• Dr. Janet Squires’ diagnosis: The three symptoms—bleeding behind Nikki’s eyes, brain swelling, subdural hematoma—“classic signs of shaken baby syndrome.”
• Steve Evans, defense attorney, on the evidence: “The evidence is going to come and bulldoze you.” (20:59, also 28:29)
• Kelly Garganis, testifying about Robert: “I was very angry. I just remember that cold face.” (25:30)
• Juror Terry Compton, about trial impact: “I sit there and thought…if you have a man, Robert size shaking, a baby, I could see where it maybe could have done some violently brain damage.” (30:32)
• Mystery woman reviewing records: “I'm reading medical records and I'm about to fall out of my chair.” (31:22)
• Closing warning: “If they go through with it, they're killing an innocent man.” (31:38)

Timeline & Timestamps for Key Segments

• Death Row Interview & Introduction – 01:10–03:23
• Hospital Arrival and Nurse’s Perspective – 04:23–07:18
• Detective’s Initial Impressions & Home Scene – 07:53–10:44
• Grandparents' Interview & Backstory – 13:23–19:18
• Medical Diagnosis (Shaken Baby Syndrome) – 18:07–20:32
• Arrest & Trial Preparation – 20:32–22:40
• Trial Testimonies & Defense’s Dilemma – 22:40–29:11
• Jury Deliberations & Verdict – 29:44–30:51
• Post-Conviction Developments & Next Episode Teaser – 31:22–31:47

Tone & Storytelling Style

The episode is somber, immersive, and balanced—Lester Holt’s narration brings both compassion and skepticism to a traumatic, complex case. Eyewitness trial testimony and family heartbreak are juxtaposed with clinical medical findings and courtroom drama, using firsthand voices to create a vivid picture for listeners. The storytelling steadily raises questions, building intrigue for the continuing investigation.

Final Thoughts

Episode 1 of "The Last Appeal" sets a gripping foundation by reconstructing Nikki’s tragic death and Robert Roberson’s path to death row, while also highlighting doubts about the case. Through original reporting and personal interviews, Dateline asks whether the criminal justice system got it wrong, foreshadowing deeper revelations to come.