Texas judge sets a bond for the second suspect in the deputy murder case after first bail

A Texas judge, described as a “rogue,” remains under fire after the Houston Police Union activist established a deposit for the second suspect in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda.

Hilary Unger of the District 248 Criminal Court of Harris County set the bonds at $3 million Thursday, according to court documents shared by the Harris County Representative Organization (HCDO). Palmer has been in jail since July and has not had any bonds until now.

In addition to the crime of grand murder, he faces serious attacks on two counts of deadly weapons that died in Esqueda. The margin for these fees is set to $50,000.

Unger’s controversial move comes a day after Dremone Francis, another suspect in the Esqueda murder case, issued a $1 million bond in November 2024.

Houston Police Union slams ‘rogue’ judge for the person accused of killing Bond: ‘Shameful’

HCDO criticized Unger when Francis was released from prison on Wednesday and set Bond for Palmer again on Thursday.

“If you were angry yesterday, just wait for what Judge Hilary Unger did today. Sic Palmer (who was accused of murdering deputy Fernando Esqueda).

The HCDO also shared court documents showing Unger set Palmer’s bonds as a death sentence for murder on a policeman for $3 million. Texas law allows for the rejection of bonds in death penalty cases.

Although Palmer was still in jail as of Thursday, he now has the opportunity to post a bail and return to the streets.

Ronnie Palmer is charged with death penalty and two counts of aggravated assault in the July 2024 murder of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda. (Harris County Sheriff)

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After the community’s counterattack, a defense attorney told Fox 26 Houston on Thursday that Unger was not involved in setting up Bond for Francis, despite the Houston Police League and HCDO saying she was.

“They are hard for the judge because she is not the one who builds the bonds,” Cheryl Irvin said. “The bonds are set and no one is against the district attorney’s office in the previous administration.”

Sheriff Ed Ed Gonzalez said at the time that Harris County Sheriff Fernando Esqueda was shot dead in a July 2024 ambush attack. (Harris County Sheriff)

Local media reported that Texas applied for a proof hearing when it was arrested in July 2024, which would have been an option to guarantee. The hearing was supposed to be held within 10 days, but since there was no, Francis was qualified for Bond and his lawyer asked him to set it up. It is not clear why the country has not held a hearing.

“People have the right. No matter what you think people do, you still have the right. One right is a reasonable bail for the Eighth Amendment. A reasonable bail is set for the coder who signed the bail, Irving said to Fox 26.” No one objected.

Capital murder suspect Dremone Francis released him a $1 million bond in November 2024 and was released from a prison in Harris County, Texas on Wednesday. (Harris County Sheriff’s Office)

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Unger will be re-election in 2026, known for allowing repeat offenders, and has run a campaign to prioritize “above “alternative imprisonment alternative rehabilitation, reducing the increase in recidivism and community safety.”

“This is not an isolated case,” the police union said. “If we don’t stop judges like her now, we will continue to see repeated criminals and violent criminals incited by the system that refuses to hold them accountable. ”

Fox News Digital has contacted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the District 248 Court.