The Houston Police Officers Union accused a local judge on Wednesday for her “unprotectable decision” to set up bonds for a man charged with murder in the 2024 ambush death of the Harris County Deputy Bureau.
Judge Hillary Unger of the 248th District Criminal Court, described by the police union as “rogue,” set Dolemon Francis' total bond in November 2024, directly opposed the prosecutor's request to hold no-bonds. As of Wednesday, Francis had posted bail and was out of prison.
Francis is one of two men accused of the death of Deputy Fernando Esqueda in Harris County. He has been charged with capital murder and tampering with evidence, and Unger set a $500,000 bail per claim.
“This is not just a case of judicial incompetence. Let's make it clear that it is a dishonest betrayal of public trust in citizens who comply with all the laws of Harris County. Francis was not merely a low-level offender.
A Texas man was captured after an ambush shooting of a deputy following an attack on Little Caesars: Sheriff
The Houston Police Officers Union said after her decision to set up bonds for a man charged with the Harris County murder, Harris County Judge Hillary Unger Judge Hillary Unger has allowed him to be released from prison for the murder of Fernando Esqueda. (Harris County Sheriff)
Eskeda was shot dead in July 2024 while surveillance in an unmarked police vehicle. Francis and his co-defendant, Ronnie Palmer, have been accused of being shot multiple times in the lieutenant hole, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said. Esqueda was rushed to a local hospital where he died.
“What would you do if this case doesn't justify the boxless decision?” the police union asked.
While Palmer is unconfined, Francis is free to roam around while he is in prison. In addition to his capital murder charges, Francis had previously been convicted of drug manufacturing and delivery. He also “inadequately ended” probation in 2022.
Police union has said there have been 162 murders in Harris County since 2021, and that the suspect was in custody at the time the murder occurred, accusing him of being an activist judge who “bets public safety” for his reelection in 2026.
Dremone Francis, one of two men accused of being murdered in an ambush at Harris County Fernando Esqueda's Deputy Bureau, returned to the streets after posting Bond, which was set at $1 million by Harris County Judge Hilary Unger. (Harris County Sheriff's Office)
Houston Police Union warns the city is “not safe” because the murder suspect is “walking on the street.”
“This is not an isolated case. Judge Unger has a history of prioritizing criminals over victims, damaging law enforcement and making our city even more dangerous,” the 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.”
Unger is known for running a campaign by ousting recurring offenders with bonds and prioritizing “an incarceration alternatives with an eye to rehabilitation, reduced recidivism and improving community safety.”
The National Police Association has it I wrote about Unger In the past, she called for her decision to allow dangerous offenders to return to their communities.
Harris County Judge Hilary Unger has been known to repeatedly drive off criminals with bonds and has been publicly criticized in the past by the National Police Association and the Houston Police Officers Union. (judghilaryunger.com)
According to the most notable case Fox 26 Houston, Andrew Williams, who had been ties with separate capital murders and aggravated assault charges since 2021 and 2019, stole a wallet from 71-year-old Martha Medina, driving her in, killing her.
Williams left prison after posting a $150,000 bond set by Unger. Texas law allows bond denials in capital murder cases.
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The Houston Police Officers Union said Wednesday that they should “don't be silent” after Unger's latest decision.
“We fight alongside the Harris County Councillors' organization (FOP 39) to demand actual bail reform and judicial accountability, making sure that Judge Hillary Unger's name is remembered for this reckless decision.
