Here’s who’s running for Place 8 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals

Democrat Chika Anyiam and Republican Lee Finley are set to face off on Nov. 5 in the race for Place 8 on the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

Republican Michelle Slaughter is one of multiple incumbents on the court to lose in their primaries this cycle.

The seat is one of three on the court up for election, alongside the presiding judge and Place 7.

The Court of Criminal Appeals is the state’s court of last resort for criminal matters. It automatically handles all cases involving the death penalty, but can choose to hear others as well.

LEE FINLEY

Lee Finley did not return the Star-Telegram’s request to respond to the candidate survey.

CHIKA ANYIAM

Party: Democrat

Age: 57

Campaign website: judgechikaanyiam.com

Best way for voters to reach you: judgechikaanyiam@gmail.com

Occupation: State district court judge

Education: 1987-The University of Calabar, Nigeria, LL.B, Honors (Bachelor of Laws); 1988-The Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos, B.L (Barrister at Law), admitted to the Nigerian Bar by the Supreme Court of Nigeria; 1997-Admitted to the Texas Bar by the Supreme Court of Texas; 2020, Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.

Have you run for elected office before? In 2016, I ran for judge of the Dallas County Criminal District Court No. 2

Please list highlights of your civic involvement. The State Bar of Texas, Dallas Bar Association, JL Turner Legal Association, Preston Hollows Democratic Club, Igbo Community Association of Nigeria (ICAN,) Old Orlu Progressive Union (OOPA,) Nkwerre Aborigin’s Union (NAU,) Garland Democratic Club, Metrocrest Democrats

Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No.

Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Two frivolous lawsuits by greedy, incompetent and disgruntled campaign managers who had been fired. I counter-claimed and their suits were dismissed.

Who are your top three campaign contributors? Lisa Baron, Anthony Lyons, Charles Maduka

Why are you seeking this office? I am seeking this office because I have the necessary qualifications to be an effective Judge on this court. I will maintain my independence as a Judge and deliver rulings according to the law notwithstanding any threats of retaliation or pressure from outside influences. I have broad experience in criminal law from my current role as a Judge of a Criminal District Court and through my long career as a trial attorney. I believe that equal justice, fairness and impartiality are paramount to provide a conducive forum in which all parties are heard. I am Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, so the parties have confidence in my rulings and understanding of the law. I have never been found ineffective as trial counsel or reversed by an appellate court as a Judge. I understand, interpret and apply the law correctly as the legislature intended. These are qualities I will bring to the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals.

What are your top three policy priorities? I am passionate about equal access to justice, fairness and the correct interpretation of our Texas laws and constitution in our criminal justice system. However, due to ethical constraints by the Texas Code of Judicial Conduct, I am prohibited from commenting on public policy issues that are currently before or which may in future through the appellate process end up before the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals that may be interpreted to allude rightfully or mistakenly to my position on said matters.

Why should voters choose you over your opponent(s)? The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas’ court of last resort and highest court for criminal matters. It hears death penalty writs and thousands of writs per year. Whereas I am the Presiding Judge of a Criminal District Court hearing felony cases including capital murder and death penalty writs, my opponent has no judicial experience. I am Board Certified in Criminal Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization, awarded to less than 1% of Texas Criminal Law Practitioners. My opponent is not. Before becoming a judge, I was a busy trial attorney, trying both misdemeanor and first degree felony cases to the Bench and Jury. Dallas County judges always voted to retain me on the Indigent Defense Wheel to represent poor defendants, whereas my opponent has limited criminal law experience and was removed from the Collin County Indigent Defense Wheel due to deficient performance. These distinctions set me apart from my opponent and make me a more qualified candidate for this position.

This story was originally published October 11, 2024 at 2:46 PM.

Lillie Davidson

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

Lillie Davidson is a breaking news reporter for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. She graduated from TCU in 2025 with a bachelor’s degree in journalism, is fluent in Spanish, and can complete a crossword in five minutes.