COLUMBIA, S.C. — James Robertson, a 51-year-old inmate on death row in South Carolina, is requesting to represent himself in court, a decision that could hasten his own execution within weeks or months. This request comes after a series of executions among his fellow inmates, including his best friend, Marion Bowman Jr., who was executed by lethal injection earlier this year.
A History of Rejection and Mental Strain
Robertson, who has been on death row since 1999 for the brutal murder of his parents, has a long history of wanting to drop his appeals. He was convicted for killing both his parents in their Rock Hill home, using a hammer and baseball bat to beat his father and stabbing his mother. Robertson attempted to cover up the murders, hoping to inherit part of their $2.2 million estate.
This is not the first time Robertson has tried to end his appeals. In the early 2000s, he sought to drop his legal representation, stating that a death sentence was preferable to life imprisonment without parole. He has often voiced frustration with his legal representation, claiming that he felt let down by every lawyer he encountered.
A Request for Representation and Psychiatric Evaluation
Robertson’s latest plea, filed in a letter to a federal judge on April 7, 2024, expresses his desire to represent himself, citing a difference of opinion with his current attorney. He argued that his lawyers would not withdraw an appeal that would inevitably lead to his execution. However, his lawyer, Emily Paavola, expressed concern over Robertson’s mental state, noting that he was not taking medication for depression and was suffering from chronic pain. Paavola also pointed to Robertson’s distress over the recent executions of other death row inmates, which has reduced the death row population significantly.
Paavola requested a delay to allow for a full psychiatric evaluation to assess Robertson’s mental competence, arguing that his decision could be influenced by the trauma of witnessing the deaths of fellow inmates, including his best friend.
In response, U.S. District Judge Mary Gordon Baker ordered a 45-day delay in Robertson’s request. A different lawyer will be assigned to speak with Robertson to ensure that he fully understands the consequences of his decision, with a report due in early July.
The Issue of “Volunteers for Death”
Robertson’s request to represent himself follows a long history of death row inmates voluntarily choosing to end their appeals and accept their death sentences, a phenomenon known as “volunteering” for execution. According to the Death Penalty Information Center, approximately 10% of executions in the U.S. are carried out on inmates who have voluntarily chosen to abandon their appeals. Research suggests that mental illness often plays a significant role in these decisions, as many “volunteers” are suffering from severe psychological conditions.
While the number of volunteers has declined in recent years, Robertson’s case echoes that of his best friend, Marion Bowman Jr., who chose to forgo his appeals and was executed earlier this year. Robertson has indicated that Bowman’s decision influenced his own, stating, “He basically has taken a similar route that I’m choosing to take now.”
The View of Prosecutors
Tommy Pope, the prosecutor who sent Robertson to death row, expressed understanding of why inmates like Robertson might choose to stop fighting their sentences. “If you told me — be incarcerated on death row the rest of your life or just go ahead and go to the Lord, you know, I might choose the latter too,” Pope said.
However, Pope also pointed out that Robertson, known for his intelligence, often thinks he is smarter than his attorneys, which may complicate the case as it moves forward.
Source Attribution
Information sourced from:
- South Carolina court records
- Interviews with local officials and legal experts
