White Harris County Cop Indicted for Murder for Assisting Her Husband in Strangulation, Pouncing Death of Latino Man

From [HERE] White deputy Chauna Thompson and her husband Terry Thompson, also white, were indicted Thursday in the death of John Hernandez, a Latino man. 

A grand jury handed down an indictment for murder in the case, and Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg and Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales made the announcement Thursday afternoon.

"We believe this grand jury's true bill is a reflection of our community's belief that a crime occurred and that that crime was murder and it was participated in by Terry Thompson and his wife, Deputy Chauna Thompson," Ogg said.

Hernandez died three days after video showed Terry Thompson, the husband of Harris County Deputy Chauna Thompson, using a chokehold to detain Hernandez after a confrontation between the two men.

The charging document states Terry Thompson, 41, caused Hernandez's death "by placing a strangulating hold on (Hernandez) and maintaining pressure while placing the weigh of the defendant's body on (Hernandez)."

Twelve witnesses, as well as Hernandez's wife, were interviewed by the grand jury. Ogg said both the Thompsons declined to be interviewed.

Gonzalez said while it is difficult to see one of his deputies indicted for murder, he believes all the facts were presented.

Bond was set for the Thompsons at $100,000 each. Both could face five years to life in prison if convicted.

Deputies said Chauna Thompson, 45, and her husband arrived at the restaurant with their three children on the night of May 28 and saw Hernandez, 24, urinating in the restaurant parking lot. Investigators said Terry Thompson confronted Hernandez about his behavior, and a fight began.

Video shot by a witness showed the deputy and her husband pinning Hernandez to the ground. Terry Thompson was choking Hernandez with his forearm. Two white men witnessing the incident partially block the recording in an attempt to prevent the incident from being captured on camera. Although they appear to be accessories to the murder they were not charged by prosecutors, who are also white.   

Hernandez was hospitalized after the confrontation. He died three days later after he was removed from life support.

Homicide detectives were not called out the night of the confrontation.

"In hindsight it would have been ideal for us to respond, of course, obviously knowing eventually that Mr. Hernandez did die, his injuries were more severe, but at the end of the day, we're confident that all the information that was needed was gathered," Gonzalez said.

The Harris County medical examiner said an autopsy found that Hernandez died from anoxic encephalopathy, or damage to the brain from lack of oxygen, because of strangulation with chest compression. His death was ruled a homicide.

Gonzalez said Tuesday that Chauna Thompson has been indefinitely reassigned to administrative duty.

The League of United Latin American Citizens District VIII released a statement Thursday saying the organization "is pleased with the grand jury's decision to indict Terry and Chauna Thompson for murder. The League will continue to maintain its engagement in this case as it now proceeds through the legal system."