A Texas Judge, He is described as “Rogue” and an activist by the Union of the Houston police, remains under fire after she had a bond for the second suspect accused of capital murder in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda.
Judge Hilary Unger of the 248th Criminal Court district in Harris County set a bond on $ 3 million on Thursday for Ronnie Palmer, according to a bailiff shared by the Harris County Deputies’ Organization (HCDO). Palmer has been in prison since July without so far no bond on that charge.
In addition to the indictment of the capital murder, he is also confronted with two counts of serious abuse with a deadly weapon in the death of Esqueda. Bond for those costs has been set at $ 50,000 each.
Unger’s controversial movement comes one day after the other Suspect in the murder of Esqueda, Dremone Francis was released from prison after posting the $ 1 million bond in November 2024.
Judge Hilary Unger has set a bond at $ 3 million for Ronnie Palmer, accused of capital murder and worsened abuse at the death of Harris County deputy Fernando Esqueda. (Rechterhilaryunger.com)
The HCDO criticized Unger on Wednesday when Francis was released from prison and came back on Thursday when she put Bond in front of Palmer.
“If you were indignant yesterday, just wait for what Judge Hilary Unger did today. A band was planned for Ronny (sic) Palmer, accused of murdering substitute Fernando Esqueda. We are now more than indignant,” the organization wrote on X.
HCDO also shared the court document that shows where Unger has established the bond of Palmer for the accusation of capital murder of a police officer at $ 3 million. The Texas law causes a denial of bonds in Capital murder cases.
Although Palmer will stay in prison from Thursday, he now has the opportunity to post bail and return to the street.
Ronnie Palmer is accused of capital murder and two counts of serious abuse in the murder on July 2024 of Harris County deputy Fernando Esqueda. (Harris County Sheriff)
After the return of the community, a lawyer said Fox 26 Houston on Thursday that Unger was not involved in determining Bond for Francis, despite the Houston Police Officers’ Union And the HCDO who says she was.
“They made it very difficult for the judge because she was not the one who had put the band,” said Cheryl Irvin. “The bond was established and nobody objected to it from the office of the public prosecutor of the previous administration.”
Harris County Sheriff’s deputy Fernando Esqueda was shot and killed in July 2024 in an ambush attack, said Seriff Ed Gonzalez at the time. (Harris County Sheriff)
Local points of sale reported That the State of Texas applied for proof of proof when Francis was arrested in July 2024, which would not have made a bond to an option. That hearing would take place within 10 days, but because that was not the case, Francis was eligible for Bond and his lawyer asked that it was established. It is not clear why the state did not continue with the hearing.
“People have rights. Regardless of what you think people have done, you still have a right. One right is the 8th amendment right to a reasonable bail. And the reasonable bail was set for the code fighter, and he made the bail,” Irvin told Fox 26. “Nobody is allowed to object.
Capital murder suspect Dremone Francis was released from prison in Harris County, Texas after placing the $ 1 million bond that he had placed for him in November 2024. (Harris County Sheriff’s Office)
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Unger, who was re -election in 2026, is known for leaving repeated perpetrators on bond and performed her election campaigns on prioritizing “alternatives to confinement with a view to rehabilitation, a reduction in recidivism and an increase in the safety of the community,” said its campaign.
“This is not an isolated case. Judge Unger has a history of priorities of criminals over victims, undermining Said police union. “If we don’t stop judges like them now, we will continue to see repeated perpetrators and violent criminals are encouraged by a system that refuses to hold them responsible.”
FOX News Digital has contacted the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the 248th District Right Bank for Comment.
