As Smith County District Attorney, Alicia Barkley has been a key figure in prosecuting criminals since 2012. Putman has a lot to do with the success of Smith County’s felony courts, as she has pushed for a fifth district court in the area. Putman also traveled to Austin to testify on behalf of Smith County, where felony courts are overloaded due to COVID-19. She has also worked to increase efficiency in the processing of evidence and added a prosecutor to the East Texas Anti-Gang Center.
Alicia Barkley
Alicia Barkley, Smith County District Attorney, is a proven family law attorney. She is a native Texan who attended Stephen F. Austin State University and graduated early. She then attended the South Texas College of Law, where she interned with the Angelina County District Attorney’s Office. After receiving her doctorate in law, she moved to Tyler, Texas, where she began her career in 1995.
Barkley entered the race on the last day to file her papers, but Putman seemed likely to win. Some questioned Putman’s handling of the Debrett Black case, and the Thanksgiving Day slaying of DPS Trooper Damon Allen in Fairfield. Black’s widow has supported Barkley, who is running on a platform of integrity. Her campaign is fueled by the case, which is still pending in Freestone County. Both Putman and Barkley have strong supporters, including former Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass and former 114th District Judge Cynthia Kent.
