Dallas County Judge Chika Anyiam has recused herself from the case of a murder suspect whose bail she had reduced before reversing the action in the wake of the heated backlash.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Julio Guerrero, 29, was initially held for murder and aggravated assault on a bond of more than $6 million. Judge Anyiam then reduced them to approximately $2 million and, most recently, to around $600,000 last month.
Following significant outrage and criticism from family members of the victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors, the judge upped Guerrero’s bond for his murder charge in late March, bringing the total bond to $1.96 million, nearly the same amount as when Judge Anyiam initially dropped it.
“It was a slap in the face to the victims’ families and to the citizens of this community,” said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia.
Guerrero was previously imprisoned in June of last year following an altercation with Dallas Police officers on June 2 when they attempted to execute a warrant for him. He eventually surrendered to authorities following an 8-hour standoff in which he allegedly fired at police officers.
Guerrero’s warrant and arrest stemmed from his alleged involvement in two shootings in May 2021. First, the murder of Francisco Villanueva Rodriguez, 35, in far East Dallas and then the injury of a 3-year-old girl shot in the head at an east Oakcliff gas station when he and the victim’s father exchanged gunfire. The child is now partially paralyzed.
In connection with the standoff, he is now facing three charges of aggravated assault against Dallas Police.
Tom Cox, Guerrero’s lawyer, had defended the earlier reduction by noting that Guerrero would be required to wear an ankle monitor while remaining under house arrest. Cox also pointed out that his client’s financial situation would make it impossible for him to raise the necessary bail.
It was noted that Cox is one of Anyiam’s top campaign contributors.
The Dallas District Attorney John Creuzot submitted a 45-page document requesting that the judge remove herself from the case due to concerns about her impartiality.
The ten felony cases against Guerrero are now in the hands of Judge Amber Givens’ 282nd District Court.
