World Courant
The Houston Police Officers’ Union slammed an area choose on Wednesday for her “indefensible determination” to set bond for a person charged with capital homicide within the 2024 ambush dying of a Harris County deputy.
Decide Hilary Unger of the 248th District Legal Court docket, who the police union described as “rogue,” set bond at $1 million whole for Dremone Francis again in November 2024 in direct opposition to prosecutors’ request for a no-bond maintain. As of Wednesday, Francis has posted bail and is out of jail.
Francis is considered one of two males accused within the dying of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda. He’s charged with capital homicide and tampering with proof, and Unger set bail at $500,000 for every cost.
“This isn’t only a case of judicial incompetence—it’s a disgraceful betrayal of public belief and a direct menace to each law-abiding citizen in Harris County. Let’s be crystal clear: Francis was not just a few low-level offender – he was an lively participant within the cold-blooded ambush and execution of a legislation enforcement officer,” the union stated.
TEXAS MAN CAPTURED AFTER DEPUTY’S AMBUSH SHOOTING DEATH FOLLOWING LITTLE CAESARS ATTACK: SHERIFF
The Houston Police Officers’ Union described Harris County Decide Hilary Unger as “reckless” after her determination to set bond for a person charged with capital homicide within the killing of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda allowed him to be launched from jail. (Harris County Sheriff)
Esqueda was shot and killed whereas conducting surveillance in an unmarked police automotive in July 2024. Francis and his co-defendant, Ronnie Palmer, are accused of taking pictures on the deputy’s automotive so many instances that it was riddled with bullet holes, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez stated on the time. Esqueda was rushed to an area hospital the place he died.
“If this case doesn’t warrant a no-bond determination, then what does?” the police union requested.
Whereas Palmer stays in jail with out bond, Francis is free to roam. Along with his capital homicide cost, Francis had beforehand been convicted of producing and delivering medication. He additionally had his probation “unsatisfactorily terminated” in 2022.
The police union said that there have been 162 homicides in Harris County since 2021 the place the suspect was out on bond when the homicide befell and accused Unger, who’s up for re-election in 2026, of being an activist choose who’s “playing with public security.”
Dremone Francis is considered one of two males accused within the ambush killing of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda and is now again on the streets after posting bond that was set at $1 million by Harris County Decide Hilary Unger. (Harris County Sheriff’s Workplace)
HOUSTON POLICE UNION WARNS CITY IS ‘NOT SAFE’ AS MURDER SUSPECTS ARE LEFT ‘WALKING THE STREETS’
“This isn’t an remoted case. Decide Unger has a historical past of prioritizing criminals over victims, undermining legislation enforcement, and making our streets extra harmful,” the union stated. “If we don’t cease judges like her now, we’ll proceed to see repeat offenders and violent criminals emboldened by a system that refuses to carry them accountable.”
Unger is thought for letting repeat offenders out on bond and ran her election campaigns on prioritizing “alternate options to incarceration with a watch in the direction of rehabilitation, a discount in recidivism, and a rise in group security.”
The Nationwide Police Affiliation has written about Unger previously, calling out her choices which have allowed harmful criminals to return to the group.
Harris County Decide Hilary Unger is thought for letting repeat offenders out on bond and has been publicly criticized by the Nationwide Police Affiliation and the Houston Police Officers’ Union previously. (JudgeHilaryUnger.com)
Probably the most notable case, in response to FOX 26 Houston, is from 2021 when Andrew Williams, who was out on bond for separate capital homicide and aggravated assault costs from 2019, stole a handbag from 71-year-old Martha Medina then ran her over along with his automotive, which killed her.
Williams was out of jail as a result of he had posted the $150,000 bond set by Unger. Texas legislation permits for bond denial in capital homicide instances.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
The Houston Police Officers’ Union stated on Wednesday that it “won’t keep silent” within the wake of Unger’s most up-to-date determination.
“We are going to struggle alongside the Harris County Deputies’ Group (FOP 39) to demand actual bail reform and judicial accountability. We are going to be sure that Decide Hilary Unger’s title is remembered for this reckless determination, and we’ll be certain that the folks of Harris County always remember it both,” the union stated.
