HOUSTON — A Harris County grand jury has indicted Terry and Chauna Thompson for murder in the beating death of John Hernandez.
“We believe that this grand jury true bill is a reflection of our community’s belief that a crime occurred and that crime was murder,” District Attorney Kim Ogg said.
Terry Thompson is the man seen on video holding Hernandez in a choke hold outside a Sheldon area Denny’s restaurant. Chauna Thompson, a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy, helped restrain the victim and didn’t stop her husband from choking him.
The medical examiner ruled Hernandez, 24, died from strangulation and chest compression.
Thompson confronted Hernandez after seeing him urinating outside the restaurant. Witnesses said he beat and restrained Hernandez even after he was clearly unconscious. They said Hernandez was too drunk to defend himself against the much larger Thompson.
Melissa Correa , KHOU