James Parker McCollough

James Parker McCollough (October 18, 1950 – October 31, 2024) was an American lawyer and Democratic politician who served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives from 1989 to 1993. He represented the 52nd district during the 71st and 72nd Texas Legislatures and chaired the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence during the 72nd Legislature.

McCollough also practiced criminal defense law and represented Henry Lee Lucas in the high-profile trial for the murder of the unidentified woman known as "Orange Socks", later identified as Debra Jackson.

Early life and legal career McCollough was born in Amarillo, Texas, on October 18, 1950. He attended South Plains College before transferring to Texas Tech University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in business and a law degree.

After completing his legal education, McCollough established a law practice in Georgetown, Texas. He also worked as a public defender and served as a municipal judge.

McCollough defeated Riley in the general election and took office in January 1989. The Texas Observer subsequently identified him as one of the Republican incumbents defeated in the 1988 House elections.

He was reelected in 1990. According to contemporary election coverage, McCollough won 61 percent of the vote in House District 52, defeating Republican Randall Riley.

71st Legislature During the 71st Legislature in 1989, McCollough served on the House Committees on Criminal Jurisprudence and Judicial Affairs and on the Task Force on State and Local Drug Control.

The bill was introduced on May 8, 1989, near the end of the legislative session. McCollough secured permission to introduce it late in the session and moved it through the legislature in time for it to reach the governor with two days remaining. The legislation became part of the statutory framework for economic-development incentives available to Texas cities under Chapter 380 of the Local Government Code.

The Criminal Jurisprudence Committee dealt with legislation and oversight concerning criminal law, criminal procedure and related state agencies.

As chairman and as a House sponsor, McCollough was involved in several measures concerning criminal law and procedure. He sponsored Senate Bill 16, concerning the suspension of driver's licenses for people convicted of certain felony offenses and related appropriations. The measure became law in 1991.

He also sponsored Senate Bill 880, concerning sentencing procedures in capital cases, and Senate Bill 883, concerning procedures for bringing an accused person before a magistrate. Both measures became law in 1991.

McCollough also served on the House Committee on Redistricting during the 72nd Legislature.

Krusee defeated McCollough in the November 1992 general election. The official election results show Krusee receiving 25,259 votes, or 51.86 percent, to McCollough's 23,443 votes, or 48.14 percent.

Defense of Henry Lee Lucas McCollough practiced criminal defense law in Central Texas and represented Henry Lee Lucas during the 1984 trial for the murder of the unidentified woman known as "Orange Socks". McCollough and attorney Don Higginbotham represented Lucas in the case.

Contemporary newspaper coverage also identified McCollough as one of Lucas's defense attorneys. Lucas was convicted and sentenced to death in the case, although his broader series of murder confessions subsequently became the subject of extensive investigation and controversy.

In 2013, The Texas Tribune revisited the criminal-justice system of Williamson County and identified McCollough as Lucas's defense lawyer. The article also quoted McCollough discussing former prosecutor Ken Anderson, with whom McCollough had faced each other in court in a number of cases.

Later career After leaving the Texas House, McCollough continued to practice law and later worked in government and legislative affairs.

His later political experience also led to his participation in discussions of Texas politics and campaign finance. In 2001, The Texas Observer interviewed McCollough as a former state representative and energy lobbyist in connection with reporting on money and political influence in Texas.

Death and memorial McCollough died on October 31, 2024, at the age of 74.

In 2025, the Texas House of Representatives adopted House Resolution 310 in his memory. The resolution recognized his service as a state representative and his leadership of the House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence and the Judicial Affairs Subcommittee on Budget and Oversight.