A Texas judge, Judge Hilary Unger of the 248th District Criminal Court in Harris County, has sparked controversy by setting bond for the second suspect charged with capital murder in the death of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda. Ronnie Palmer, who has been in jail since July with no bond on that charge until now, had his bond set at $3 million for the capital murder charge. In addition, Palmer is facing two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Esqueda's death, with bond set at $50,000 each.
This move by Judge Unger comes after the release of the first suspect, Dremone Francis, who posted a $1 million bond set in November 2024. The Harris County Deputies' Organization (HCDO) criticized Judge Unger for setting bond for Palmer, calling it a 'disgrace' and expressing outrage over the decision.
Despite blowback from the community, a defense attorney clarified that Judge Unger was not involved in setting bond for Francis. The attorney explained that the bond was set without objection from the district attorney's office from the previous administration, and that the state had not proceeded with a proof-evident hearing that could have allowed for no bond in Francis' case.
Judge Unger, who is up for re-election in 2026, has faced criticism for her approach to bail decisions, with some accusing her of prioritizing criminals over victims. Her campaign platform focused on alternatives to incarceration and rehabilitation, which has drawn both support and criticism from various groups.
The controversy surrounding the bond decisions in the murder case of Deputy Esqueda highlights the complexities of the legal system and the balancing act between individual rights and public safety. As the case continues to unfold, the community and law enforcement organizations will be closely watching the outcomes of these decisions.
