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Artwork for The Last Appeal

The Last Appeal

NBC News
Robert Roberson
Shaken Baby Syndrome
Texas
Dateline
Nikki Roberson
Andrew Rourke
Nikki
True Crime
Colin Kaepernick
Death Penalty
Autism
Gretchen Swinn
Texas Court Of Criminal Appeals
Police Brutality
Systemic Oppression
Death Row
Child Abuse
Medical Examination
Palestine Police Department
Children's Medical Center In Dallas

Lester Holt takes listeners inside the urgent case of Robert Roberson, a Texas father set to be executed on October 16th for the 2002 death of his 2-year-old daughter. Lester is on the ground in Texas, where he examines the evidence against Roberson and talks to the people closest to the case, including the lead detective, who now believes he helped put an innocent man behind bars. Lester’s exclus... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes8Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategory
True Crime

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Artwork for The Last Appeal

Latest Episodes

Hey Dateline fans, here’s a special preview of the first episode of our new podcast series, Before & After with Lester Holt.

In this episode, Lester Holt talks to former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick about his decision to take a... more

Hey Dateline fans! As a bonus for you, we’re sharing the trailer for Before & After with Lester Holt, an all-new original podcast series from Dateline.

Before & After with Lester Holt is a deeply personal interview series about moments that divide a... more

One week before Robert Roberson’s scheduled execution, the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals issues a stay.

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With Robert Roberson’s execution just days away, his lawyer launches a frantic scramble to save his life.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Colin Kaepernick
Former quarterback and activist featured in the episode
Episode: Preview: Colin Kaepernick on Before & After with Lester Holt
Cindy Lauper
Singer and entertainer
Episode: Introducing: Before & After with Lester Holt
Michelle Bernstein
Chef
Chef, Miami-based restaurant scene
Episode: Introducing: Before & After with Lester Holt
Dr. Paniko
Medical expert
Episode: Introducing: Before & After with Lester Holt
Brian Wharton
Former chief of detectives in Palestine who helped convict Robert
Episode: A Date To Die
Gretchen Swinn
Attorney for Robert Roberson
Episode: A Date To Die
Robert Roberson
Father on death row for the death of his daughter, insists on his innocence
Episode: “I'm Astonished”

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 254 ratings
  • Gas lighting

    They leave out some major facts and or breeze over them. They focus on Shaken Baby, even though the injury was clearly blunt force. Also watch the in depth interview done by another news agency that shows the real suspect before being coached how present.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    long ducka donger
    United States6 months ago
  • Sad about lack of all facts

    I just binged the episodes that are available to date — am keeping it in my podcast library waiting for any updates. Was sad to hear that soooooo many facts were never discovered in the beginning—or at least in 2016. Facts such as XRays and scans, judge’s name (very BIG conflict of interest) and lack of evidence given in the original trial. I was happy to hear the original detective changed his attitude/perspective on Roberson and was a big supporter; thanks to Gretchen (and the inclusion of Joh... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    USA Mknitter
    United States10 months ago
  • Updates?

    Lester,

    I love this story! Please let us know if anything has changed with court decisions!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    J0N$T3R
    United States10 months ago
  • This was a good podcast!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    RM
    a year ago
  • Interesting story but the information feels so cherry picked that it leaves me distrustful of the process. For example, why is it not explained to us why he brought the baby to his girlfriend in the hospital. Autism seems to be the explanation for everything. Which is preposterous. Definitely not convinced of his innocence.

    Podcast Addict
    3
    BMcA
    a year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the host's in-depth, on-the-ground reporting and the willingness to challenge official narratives.
The show is praised for powerful storytelling and connections to reform-minded guests.
Some listeners wish for more balanced, multi-perspective coverage and transparency about sources or conflicting evidence.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#125
Ireland/True Crime
Apple Podcasts
#227
India/True Crime

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Preview: Colin Kaepernick on Before & After with Lester Holt
Q: What did it feel like to be the brunt of such anger and real life death threats?
It was very real, with a lot of hate and anger directed at me, including death threats, which forced me to move differently through the world while continuing the work.
Preview: Colin Kaepernick on Before & After with Lester Holt
Q: It's been 10 years since you famously took that knee. What were you hoping to achieve with the protests?
To collectively move us forward as a society, focusing on police brutality and systemic oppression to stimulate progress toward rights, equity, and justice for everyone.
A Date To Die
Q: What's your message to Robert right now?
I love you, Robert. It doesn't matter what the state says and what happens in the next few hours. I love you now, and I will for as long as I endure.
A Date To Die
Q: What do you want people to know about what you're going through right now?
I'm going through pain because I like to believe our justice system will do the right thing, and I would like the public to know that I'm innocent.
A Date To Die
Q: How do you feel about the justice system right now?
I'm going through pain because I like to believe our justice system will do the right thing, and I would like the public to know that I'm innocent.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Last Appeal

What is The Last Appeal about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Tackling high-stakes criminal justice stories, this program follows urgent death-penalty cases and the evolving questions surrounding guilt, innocence, and how scientific evidence is used in court. Across episodes, listeners hear from the defendant's advocates, investigators, and legal experts, with on-the-ground reporting from the case's focal location. The series often centers on dramatic new findings, reforms in how evidence is interpreted, and poignant, personal perspectives from those closest to the case. A standout aspect is the deep-dive, narrative-driven approach that pairs investigative journalism with courtroom commentary and advocacy, making complex legal disputes accessible and emotionally resonant for a broad audience.

This mi... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Last Appeal?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Last Appeal:

1. Dateline Originals
2. Trace of Suspicion
3. Something About Cari
4. Dateline NBC
5. The Seduction

How many episodes of The Last Appeal are there?

The Last Appeal launched a year ago and published 8 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Last Appeal?

Recent guests on The Last Appeal include:

1. Colin Kaepernick
2. Cindy Lauper
3. Michelle Bernstein
4. Dr. Paniko
5. Brian Wharton
6. Gretchen Swinn
7. Robert Roberson

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