UNSHAKEN TRUTH
Exposing the Shaken Baby Myth
What happened to us can happen to anyone. In a shocking number of cases, including ours, medical professionals and law enforcement have rushed to judgment when confronted with an infant or toddler’s apparent injury or, worse, sudden death. They stop looking for what really happened, an illness or underlying medical condition, instead calling it abuse based on nothing more than a flawed hypothesis. Too many families’ lives have been ripped apart because of this junk science; we want to bring attention to this persistent injustice.
MOST RECENT EPISODE:
Fighting Junk Science and Wrongful Convictions with Texas State Representative Lacey Hull
When flawed medical theories send innocent people to death row, who stands up for justice? In this ...powerful episode, hosts Josh Burns and Andrew Roark—both exonerated after wrongful convictions—sit down with Texas State Representative Lacey Hull to expose the dangerous role of junk science in our criminal justice system.
Representative Hull has emerged as a fierce advocate for Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row convicted solely on the now-debunked Shaken Baby Syndrome theory. As a champion for parental rights and evidence-based justice, she's fighting to secure Robert a new trial and prevent future tragedies rooted in pseudoscience.
This episode reveals the urgent need to scrutinize medical evidence, reform forensic standards, and protect innocent lives from being destroyed by outdated theories masquerading as science.
*What You'll Discover:*
• How shaken baby syndrome and other pseudoscience have led to wrongful convictions across America • Robert Roberson's heartbreaking case: an innocent father facing execution based on discredited evidence • Critical flaws in medical and forensic testimony that courts still accept as fact • The personal toll: Representative Hull's visits with Robert on death row and his unwavering faith • Why comprehensive medical evidence—including autism spectrum disorder—was ignored in Robert's trial • Systemic failures: diagnostic errors, bias, and the barriers to justice during appeals • Legislative solutions: what reforms Texas needs to prevent future wrongful convictions • What true justice looks like for Robert and others convicted on junk science
*Episode Timestamps:*
00:00 - Introduction: When junk science destroys lives 01:02 - Josh and Andrew share their exoneration stories and the flawed medical evidence that convicted them 02:06 - Robert Roberson's case: wrongful imprisonment and a death sentence 03:34 - Meet State Representative Lacey Hull and her fight for justice reform 07:53 - Exposing the flaws: problems with forensic evidence, autopsies, and medical testing 09:01 - A death row visit: Robert's character, faith, and humanity behind the headlines 13:21 - Debunking misconceptions: what the evidence really shows in Robert's case 15:50 - The path forward: why Robert deserves a new trial with proper expert testimony 22:36 - Beyond one case: systemic bias, diagnostic errors, and the need for policy change 30:10 - The appeals roadblock: challenges in legislative intervention and reform efforts 32:46 - Envisioning justice: what Robert's exoneration would mean and reforms Texas must adopt
*Resources & Additional Information:*
• Unshaken Truth Website: http://www.unshakentruth.com • Michael Morton Law (Texas wrongful conviction reform) • Autism Spectrum Disorder resources • Justice Corner - Get involved and contact us
*Connect with Representative Lacey Hull:* • LinkedIn | Twitter
----------------------------------------
*This episode is essential listening for anyone who believes in justice, evidence-based convictions, and protecting the innocent. Share it with your network to raise awareness about the urgent need for forensic science reform and systemic change in our courts.*
_Subscribe to Unshaken Truth wherever you listen to podcasts, and join the fight against wrongful convictions._
Photo credits: Photo of Robert Roberson by Iiana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project Family of Robert Roberson Dallas Morning News D Magazine Wall Street Journal Rep. John Bucy
Music Credits: NT97ZKHQTVIQU0OT UAGWCLVVNNNZMGNK OHOXKVIET12O9NOWShow More
FOLLOW US:
Josh Burns and Andrew Roark were both falsely accused of child abuse based on the debunked “Shaken Baby Syndrome” hypothesis. Both men were exonerated in the same week of November 2024. Since then, Josh and Andrew have been actively advocating for others falsely accused under this flawed, non-scientific theory.
Josh testified before the Texas House of Representatives Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on behalf of Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row convicted based on the same shaken baby hypothesis. Andrew was recently featured in the Dallas Morning News. Both men were featured in a recent podcast about Mr. Roberson’s case by Dateline NBC with Lester Holt called The Last Appeal.
Follow the Unshaken Truth Podcast as we focus on the debunked shaken baby syndrome hypothesis, related junk science, and false allegations and convictions of child abuse. We will examine the intersections between the justice system and the medical community in determining innocence or guilt, and speak with guests from many different backgrounds, including elected officials, subject matter experts, exonerees, attorneys, advocacy groups, and more.
Torn Family Inc was founded by Josh Burns’ friends and family after they witnessed the damage that the junk science of Shaken Baby Syndrome can inflict on innocent people.
Now that Josh’s conviction has been vacated due to the efforts of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, he has joined the Torn Family team. Torn Family seeks to educate the public and to lobby for legislative changes to reform the processes that are responsible for these injustices.
Meet Josh’s dog, “Justice,” given his name while Josh was seeking justice on his case. Drop us a line if you have questions or comments about the podcast!
UNSHAKEN TRUTH
Exposing the Shaken Baby Myth
What happened to us can happen to anyone. In a shocking number of cases, including ours, medical professionals and law enforcement have rushed to judgment when confronted with an infant or toddler’s apparent injury or, worse, sudden death. They stop looking for what really happened, an illness or underlying medical condition, instead calling it abuse based on nothing more than a flawed hypothesis. Too many families’ lives have been ripped apart because of this junk science; we want to bring attention to this persistent injustice.
MOST RECENT EPISODE:
Fighting Junk Science and Wrongful Convictions with Texas State Representative Lacey Hull
When flawed medical theories send innocent people to death row, who stands up for justice? In this ...powerful episode, hosts Josh Burns and Andrew Roark—both exonerated after wrongful convictions—sit down with Texas State Representative Lacey Hull to expose the dangerous role of junk science in our criminal justice system.
Representative Hull has emerged as a fierce advocate for Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row convicted solely on the now-debunked Shaken Baby Syndrome theory. As a champion for parental rights and evidence-based justice, she's fighting to secure Robert a new trial and prevent future tragedies rooted in pseudoscience.
This episode reveals the urgent need to scrutinize medical evidence, reform forensic standards, and protect innocent lives from being destroyed by outdated theories masquerading as science.
*What You'll Discover:*
• How shaken baby syndrome and other pseudoscience have led to wrongful convictions across America • Robert Roberson's heartbreaking case: an innocent father facing execution based on discredited evidence • Critical flaws in medical and forensic testimony that courts still accept as fact • The personal toll: Representative Hull's visits with Robert on death row and his unwavering faith • Why comprehensive medical evidence—including autism spectrum disorder—was ignored in Robert's trial • Systemic failures: diagnostic errors, bias, and the barriers to justice during appeals • Legislative solutions: what reforms Texas needs to prevent future wrongful convictions • What true justice looks like for Robert and others convicted on junk science
*Episode Timestamps:*
00:00 - Introduction: When junk science destroys lives 01:02 - Josh and Andrew share their exoneration stories and the flawed medical evidence that convicted them 02:06 - Robert Roberson's case: wrongful imprisonment and a death sentence 03:34 - Meet State Representative Lacey Hull and her fight for justice reform 07:53 - Exposing the flaws: problems with forensic evidence, autopsies, and medical testing 09:01 - A death row visit: Robert's character, faith, and humanity behind the headlines 13:21 - Debunking misconceptions: what the evidence really shows in Robert's case 15:50 - The path forward: why Robert deserves a new trial with proper expert testimony 22:36 - Beyond one case: systemic bias, diagnostic errors, and the need for policy change 30:10 - The appeals roadblock: challenges in legislative intervention and reform efforts 32:46 - Envisioning justice: what Robert's exoneration would mean and reforms Texas must adopt
*Resources & Additional Information:*
• Unshaken Truth Website: http://www.unshakentruth.com • Michael Morton Law (Texas wrongful conviction reform) • Autism Spectrum Disorder resources • Justice Corner - Get involved and contact us
*Connect with Representative Lacey Hull:* • LinkedIn | Twitter
----------------------------------------
*This episode is essential listening for anyone who believes in justice, evidence-based convictions, and protecting the innocent. Share it with your network to raise awareness about the urgent need for forensic science reform and systemic change in our courts.*
_Subscribe to Unshaken Truth wherever you listen to podcasts, and join the fight against wrongful convictions._
Photo credits: Photo of Robert Roberson by Iiana Panich-Linsman for The Innocence Project Family of Robert Roberson Dallas Morning News D Magazine Wall Street Journal Rep. John Bucy
Music Credits: NT97ZKHQTVIQU0OT UAGWCLVVNNNZMGNK OHOXKVIET12O9NOWShow More
FOLLOW US:
Josh Burns and Andrew Roark were both falsely accused of child abuse based on the debunked “Shaken Baby Syndrome” hypothesis. Both men were exonerated in the same week of November 2024. Since then, Josh and Andrew have been actively advocating for others falsely accused under this flawed, non-scientific theory.
Josh testified before the Texas House of Representatives Criminal Jurisprudence Committee on behalf of Robert Roberson, a Texas man on death row convicted based on the same shaken baby hypothesis. Andrew was recently featured in the Dallas Morning News. Both men were featured in a recent podcast about Mr. Roberson’s case by Dateline NBC with Lester Holt called The Last Appeal.
Follow the Unshaken Truth Podcast as we focus on the debunked shaken baby syndrome hypothesis, related junk science, and false allegations and convictions of child abuse. We will examine the intersections between the justice system and the medical community in determining innocence or guilt, and speak with guests from many different backgrounds, including elected officials, subject matter experts, exonerees, attorneys, advocacy groups, and more.
Torn Family Inc. was founded by Josh Burns’ friends and family after they witnessed the damage that the junk science of Shaken Baby Syndrome can inflict on innocent people.
Now that Josh’s conviction has been vacated due to the efforts of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, he has joined the Torn Family team. Torn Family seeks to educate the public and to lobby for legislative changes to reform the processes that are responsible for these injustices.
JUSTICE CORNER: CONTACT US