The fire remains after a Texas judge, who is described as “fraud” by the Houston Police Officers Union, sets bonds for the second suspect who died in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda.
Judge Hillary Unger of Harris County's 248th District Criminal Court set up a $3 million bond for Ronnie Palmer on Thursday, according to court documents shared by the Harris County Councillors Organization (HCDO). Palmer has been in prison since July and has not had any bonds on the charges up until now.
In addition to the capital murder charge, he is also facing a worse attack of two counts with the deadly weapon of Escuda's death. The bonds at these charges are each set at $50,000.
Unger's controversial move comes a day after Doremone Francis, a suspect in the Esqueda murder, was released from prison after he posted a set of $1 million bonds in November 2024.
Houston Police Union judges for “disgraceful” judges over accused of killing a deputy with bonds as “disgraceful”: “disgraceful”
Judge Hillary Unger has set up $3 million bonds for Ronnie Palmer, who was charged with the attack that killed the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda. (judghilaryunger.com)
The HCDO criticized Unger on Wednesday when Francis was released from prison, and came after her again on Thursday when she set up Bond for Palmer.
“If you're furious yesterday, wait for what Judge Hilary Unger did today. A bond has been set up for Ronnie Palmer, who was charged with murdering Deputy Fernando Esqueda. We are now furious. This is dishonorable.”
HCDO also shared court documents showing where Unger set up Palmer's bonds on the charge of police capital murder for $3 million. Texas law allows bond denials in capital murder cases.
Palmer has remained in jail as of Thursday, but he will have the opportunity to post bail and return to the street.
Ronnie Palmer is charged with capital murder and aggravated two counts of assault in the July 2024 murder of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda. (Harris County Sheriff)
Houston Police Union warns the city is “not safe” because the murder suspect is “walking on the street.”
After blowback from the community, defense attorneys told Fox 26 Houston on Thursday that she was not involved in setting up Francis' bonds, despite the Houston police officer union and HCDO saying that she was her.
“They made it very difficult for judges. “The bonds were set and no one from the district attorney's office opposed it from the previous administration.”
Harris County Sheriff's Deputy Director Fernando Esqueda was shot dead in an ambush attack in July 2024, then Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. (Harris County Sheriff)
A local outlet reported Texas filed a hearing of evidence when Francis was arrested in July 2024, which would have made bonds an option. The hearing was supposed to happen within 10 days, but it wasn't so Francis was eligible for bonds and his lawyers demanded that it be set up. It is not clear why the state did not proceed with the hearing.
“People have rights. You still have rights, regardless of what people did. One right is a reasonable bail right. And a reasonable bail was set for the code fendants and he gave bail. He told Fox 26.
Capital murder suspect Dremone Francis was released from the Harris County, Texas jail on Wednesday after posting a set of $1 million bonds for him in November 2024. (Harris County Sheriff's Office)
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Unger, who will begin re-election in 2026, is known for repeatedly ejecting offenders on bonds and running a campaign with “turning rehabilitation and prioritizing imprisonment alternatives, reducing recidivism, and improving community safety.”
“This is not an isolated case. Judge Unger has a history of prioritizing criminals over victims, damaging law enforcement and making our streets even more dangerous,” the police union said. “If we don't stop judges like her now, we will continue to see repeated and violent criminals who are encouraged by a system of denying them accountability.”
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Harris County District Attorney's Office and the 248th District Court for comment.
