Show overview
The Last Appeal launched in 2025 and has put out 8 episodes, alongside 1 trailer or bonus episode in the time since. That works out to roughly 2 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a roughly quarterly cadence.
Episodes typically run ten to twenty minutes — most land between 3 min and 26 min — with run-times ranging widely across the catalogue. It is catalogued as a EN-language True Crime show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 6 days ago, with 2 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 6 episodes published. Published by NBC News.
From the publisher
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 exclusive interviews reveal critical information the jury never heard. This series will confront listeners with questions about justice and truth, and perhaps the most haunting question of all: Is an innocent man about to be put to death?
Latest Episodes
Preview: Colin Kaepernick on Before & After with Lester Holt
Introducing: Before & After with Lester Holt
S1 Ep 5Fight Another Day
One week before Robert Roberson’s scheduled execution, the Texas Criminal Court of Appeals issues a stay. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
S1 Ep 4The Reckoning
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.
S1 Ep 3A Date To Die
As Robert Roberson’s execution nears, his attorney uncovers critical evidence and unlikely new allies, including Texas lawmakers and the detective who helped put Robert on death row. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
S1 Ep 2“I'm Astonished”
Attorney Gretchen Sween takes on Robert's case and pieces together Nikki’s overlooked medical history. She tracks down a witness from his trial who has new information. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
S1 Ep 1Nikki
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." Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Introducing: The Last Appeal
trailerLester 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 exclusive interviews reveal critical information the jury never heard. This series will confront listeners with questions about justice and truth, and perhaps the most haunting question of all: Is an innocent man about to be put to death? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.