Video From Fatal Denny’s Brawl Is Released

HOUSTON, TX — The attorney representing the family of a man who died after a fight with the husband of a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy on May 28, has released a cellphone video showing the fight that took the life of a young father.

John Hernandez, 24, died from injuries he sustained during a fight outside a Denny’s restaurant with Terry Thompson, 41, the husband of a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy.

The incident happened at about 11:40 p.m. on May 28 in the 17700 block of Crosby Freeway when Thompson saw Hernandez urinating outside a Denny’s restaurant as he was pulling into the parking lot, and confronted him.

The pair began fighting outside the restaurant. (Want to get daily updates about traffic news and other events going on in your area? Sign up for the free Houston Patch morning newsletter.)

Randall Kallinen, the attorney representing Hernandez’s family, said the video shows Thompson committing murder, if not manslaughter, according to a Houston Chronicle report.

The video, which about 52 seconds long, was shown to media at the office of attorney Jack Carroll who said he obtained the footage from a concerned citizen who wants to remain anonymous.

Terry Thompson is seen on top of John Hernandez during a fight outside a Denny's in Crosby. Hernandez died three days later. (Courtesy photo)

The video shows a man in a red tank top, identified as Thompson, on top of Hernandez who is in a chokehold and is seen kicking his feet and heard gurgling.

Thompson is heard in the video asking Hernandez, “Do you want me to hit you again,” while Thomson’s wife, wearing a blue shirt in the video, is seen holding one of Hernandez’s harms down with her knee.

During the video, a girl, who was identified as Thompson’s daughter, according to a KTRK report, tries to block the view of the phone and demands that they stop recording.

Read Also: Sheriff Asks DOJ, Texas Rangers To Investigate Man’s Beating Death

Thompson was detained and handcuffed after the fight by sheriff’s deputies, but he was released without being charged after he was questioned.

Hernandez, was taken to LBJ Hospital and was in a coma for three days before dying from his injuries on June 1.

The day after Hernandez’s death, Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said he was asking for the Texas Rangers and the Justice Department to investigate the cae, and vowed there would not be any special treatment.

Meanwhile, the results of an autopsy are pending

Once the investigation is completed, the cae will be presented to the Harris County Grand Jury, where charges could be filed.

Image:Renee Schiavone

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