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James Anderson, accused of murdering his wife, died from a medical emergency during a court appearance in Houston.
HOUSTON — A Texas man accused of killing his wife died Friday after suffering a medical emergency during a court appearance.
James Paul Anderson was on trial for allegedly killing his wife, 34-year-old Victoria Anderson, at their home.
Anderson was out on a $300,000 bond while facing the murder charge. Authorities said he was in court Friday to accept a plea and agree to be sentenced to 35 years in prison.
Shortly after he got to the 208th District Court at the Criminal Justice Center in Houston, he “experienced a medical emergency,” officials said.
A bailiff administered naloxone, which is used to rapidly reverse opioid overdoses, before EMS got there. Anderson was taken to Ben Taub Hospital, where he was pronounced dead just after 11 a.m.
While naloxone was administered, it’s unclear if Anderson had taken any drugs. An autopsy will be done to find out what happened.
The crime
In September 2023, Victoria called 911 and told an operator her husband was threatening to shoot her at their Kingwood-area home. Then, the operator reported hearing a gunshot, according to investigators.
When police got to the home, James Anderson allowed the couple’s 3-year-old son to leave the house before barricading himself inside. A standoff lasted several hours before he surrendered, and his wife’s body was found inside. At the time, prosecutors said they believed the child had seen his mother get killed.
Authorities said there had been previous reports of domestic issues at the house, and Victoria filed for divorce about a month before she was killed.
James Anderson worked in the special education department at a Cleveland ISD school.
