Rogue Judge Ignites Fury Over Cop Killer Bond Decision

Texas judge Hilary Unger has sparked outrage by setting a $3 million bond for capital murder suspect Ronnie Palmer, accused of killing Deputy Fernando Esqueda, just one day after his co-defendant was released on bail.

Key Facts:

Judge Hilary Unger set a $3 million bond for Ronnie Palmer, charged with capital murder in the July 2024 killing of Deputy Fernando Esqueda.
This decision came just one day after Palmer’s co-defendant, Dremone Francis, was released on a $1 million bond to house arrest.
Palmer faces additional charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bonds set at $50,000 each.
Former Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg called Unger a “rogue judge notorious for releasing repeat offenders.”
According to police union president Douglas Griffith, 42 rounds were fired at Deputy Esqueda during the incident.

The Rest of The Story:

The controversy surrounds Judge Unger’s decision to set bond for Palmer, who had previously been held without bail since July.

This follows the release of co-defendant Dremone Francis, who posted his $1 million bond and was placed under house arrest.

Francis had prior convictions for manufacturing and delivering drugs and had his probation “unsatisfactorily terminated” in 2022.

There’s dispute over who set Francis’s bond, with a defense attorney claiming Unger wasn’t involved despite accusations from the Houston Police Officers’ Union and Harris County Deputies’ Organization.

Local reports indicate the State of Texas filed for a “proof-evident hearing” that could have kept Francis without bond, but the hearing didn’t occur within the required 10-day timeframe, making him eligible for bond.

A hero, an animal and a POS. After executing Deputy Esqueda, Judge Hilary Unger released the animal on bond. She released another murderer in 2021. Upon his release, he robbed a woman, then ran her over with his car, killing her! Anyone surprised this POS judge is a democrat? pic.twitter.com/YGD4E0zNMM

— Paul Manicone (@JustRightPD) February 27, 2025

Commentary:

Judge Unger’s decision to set bond for individuals accused of killing a law enforcement officer represents a dangerous precedent that puts our communities at risk.

When violent offenders with a history of criminal behavior are given pathways to release, public safety is severely compromised.

The system has failed not only Deputy Esqueda and his family but all the citizens of Harris County.

With over 830 fugitives or individuals on bond for capital murder or murder in Harris County alone, this pattern of judicial leniency has reached crisis levels.

What makes this case particularly alarming is that it involves the brutal killing of a peace officer, with 42 rounds fired at Deputy Esqueda.

These are not individuals who made minor mistakes – these are violent offenders who have demonstrated a complete disregard for human life and the rule of law.

Judge Unger campaigned on “alternatives to incarceration” and “rehabilitation,” but when dealing with suspects in a capital murder case involving the death of a law enforcement officer, such idealistic approaches place our entire community at risk.

Her decisions directly contradict her stated goal of increasing community safety.

Judges who fail to prioritize public safety over ideological considerations should not remain on the bench.

This isn’t about politics – it’s about protecting innocent citizens from individuals who have already demonstrated violent tendencies.

Cases involving the murder of law enforcement officers demand the highest level of scrutiny and the strongest possible measures to ensure suspects remain in custody.

The judiciary exists to uphold justice and protect communities.

When judges like Unger make decisions that endanger public safety, they betray that fundamental mission and undermine public trust in our legal system.

The Bottom Line:

Judge Unger’s decision to set bond for a suspect in a deputy’s killing has sparked justified outrage among law enforcement and community members in Harris County.

With her history of releasing violent offenders and the severity of this particular case, serious questions arise about judicial priorities and public safety.

If judges fail to keep dangerous suspects behind bars, especially those accused of killing law enforcement officers, the entire system risks losing legitimacy in the eyes of the public.