HOUSTON COURTROOM DRAMA

Man awaiting sentencing for murdering wife in front of their child dies after ingesting drugs

 

By Ahmed Humble 

 

Click2Houston

Sep 26, 2025 

 

 

 

Victoria Anderson and James Anderson 

 

HOUSTON – A man who was waiting to be sentenced for killing his wife back in 2023 has died after authorities said he ingested drugs in the courtroom.  

Officials confirmed James Anderson, who was charged with killing his wife, Victoria, and was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police.

Anderson was described as a Santa Fe Middle School employee with Cleveland ISD who shot his wife in front of their child.

Since January 2024, Anderson had been out on a $300,000 bond and appeared in court on Friday to accept a plea agreement, where he would serve 35 years in prison.

However, Precinct 1 Constable Alan Rosen confirmed he ingested drugs while awaiting sentencing and was rushed to a hospital. 

It’s unclear what kind of drugs Anderson took, and investigators said a court bailiff administered naloxone before paramedics arrived, which (per the CDC) is meant to rapidly reverse an opioid overdose.

However, officials at Ben Taub Hospital confirmed Anderson’s death at 11:05 a.m.

An autopsy is expected to shed more light on Anderson’s cause of death.