Judge Sets Date For Ex-Deputy And Her Husband's Murder Trial

HOUSTON, TX — A judge has set the trial dates of a former Harris County Sheriff’s deputy and her husband, accused of killing a Houston area man during a fight outside of a Denny’s restaurant.

Terry Thompson is charged with murdering 24-year old John Hernandez during a fight on May 28.

His trial is set to begin on May 18, nearly a year after the fight that took Hernandez's life.

His wife, Chauna Thompson, who is also charged with Hernandez’s murder, will go to trial on June 1, KTRK reported.

The incident that ended in Hernandez’s death began when Terry Thompson was pulling into the Denny’s parking lot and saw Hernandez, who was intoxicated, urinating in front of the restaurant.

READ: Judge Sets Bond Conditions For Ex-Deputy, Husband Charged With Murder

Thompson told investigtors that he confronted Hernandez, and claimed Hernandez took a swing at him.

The two began fighting outside the restaurant and witnesses told investigators that Terry Thompson held Hernandez in a chokehold.

Witnesses to the fight recorded the incident on cell phone video.

Chauna Thompson, who was off-duty at the time, arrived a short time later and helped hold Hernandez down during the fight.

Chauna Thompson told investigators she noticed that Hernandez had stopped breathing and called for back up and began administering CPR.

Hernandez never regained consciousness and died at LBJ Hospital three days later.

A coroner's report indicated that Hernandez died as a result of anoxic encephalopathy due to strangulation with chest compression.

The Thompson’s were not arrested or detained after the fight, and other deputies who responded to the call were later disciplined by Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez.

Ten days after Hernandez died, the Thompson’s were charged with his murder

Since the incident, the Thompson’s have been been free on bond, and Chauna Thompson was fired by Gonzalez.

If the couple are convicted of Hernandez’s murder, they each face a possible sentence of life in prison.

Image: Associated Press

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