Texans are outraged after a “rogue” judge set bond for a capital murder suspect who is accused of killing a Houston-area deputy just one day after his co-defendant, another capital murder suspect, was released on bail.
Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg slammed Judge Hilary Unger during “Fox & Friends” for providing a pathway for release for suspect Ronnie Palmer, who was charged in connection with the death of Deputy Fernando Esqueda in July 2024.
“Our judges, unfortunately, in Harris County, have shown a pattern of releasing repeat violent offenders among us,” Ogg told Lawrence Jones on Friday.
“Right now, there are more than 830 fugitives or individuals on bond for capital murder or murder, but LJ, none for the murder of a police officer. This is a first for us.”
Following blowback from the community, a defense attorney told FOX 26 Houston on Thursday that Unger was not involved in setting bond for Francis, despite the Houston Police Officers’ Union and the HCDO saying that she was.
“They made it very difficult for the judge because she is not the one who had set the bond,” said Cheryl Irvin. “The bond was set and nobody objected to it from the district attorney’s office from the previous administration.”
“When these guys don’t come to court because it’s a capital murder case, then we’re going to be forced to go out there and get them again, and then they can gun down another officer,” he continued. “There were 42 rounds fired at Deputy Esqueda. These are violent offenders. We are going to see them again in the headlines of the news, and it’s all going to be on this judge’s back.”
Unger, who is up for re-election in 2026, campaigned previously on prioritizing “alternatives to incarceration with an eye towards rehabilitation, a reduction in recidivism, and an increase in community safety,” according to her campaign website.
Fox News Digital has reached out to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office and the 248th District Court for comment.
Fox News’ Elizabeth Pritchett contributed to this report.
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