Man Sentenced to 40 Years in Prison for Murder of Wife in Domestic Violence Incident

A 39-year-old man, Christopher Edward Anderson, was sentenced to 40 years in prison on Thursday for the murder of his wife, 44-year-old Tonya Davis Anderson. The incident took place at their Spring apartment on July 20, 2021.

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced the conviction, emphasizing the gravity of domestic violence coupled with gun violence. Anderson, with a history of violence and a prior conviction for aggravated assault against a family member, had been arrested seven months before the murder for choking Tonya’s 16-year-old son.

Despite being released on bail with strict conditions, including wearing a GPS ankle monitor and staying away from Tonya and her son, Anderson violated these terms. On the night of the murder, an argument erupted between the couple, leading to gunshots. A neighbor reported hearing Tonya pleading for Anderson to leave.

Tonya’s son, present during the shooting, called 911, prompting the Harris County Sheriff’s Office to respond. Anderson fled the scene in Tonya’s car, disposing of the gun and his phone. He also removed his ankle monitor before abandoning the car across town.

Three days later, authorities located Anderson at his parents’ home in a different county, leading to his arrest. The Harris County jury convicted him on the seventh day of the trial, and rather than facing life imprisonment, Anderson agreed to a 40-year sentence in exchange for waiving his right to appeal.

Assistant District Attorney Matthew Magill, along with ADA Steve Walsh from the DA’s Domestic Violence Division, prosecuted the case. Magill described the incident as an escalated argument that tragically resulted in Tonya’s death, emphasizing that “nobody deserves to die that way.”