Harris County District Court Judge Hilary Unger set bond at $3 million for Ronald Palmer Jr., charged with capital murder in the killing of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, after his co-defendant’s release on a combined $1 million bond sparked outrage.
Palmer, 44, did not appear in person for his hearing Thursday, because his defense attorney, Cheryl Irvin, said it requires a lot of resources to bring him from jail to court as he’s considered a high risk.
However, there was a large show of support from law enforcement agencies at the hearing after many unions took to social media this week to express concern over the release of his co-defendant, 26-year-old Dremone Francis.
“Because the co-defendant made bond a very, very high bond, the officers were upset that he made bond,” Irvin said. “I find it offensive that the police union seems to be making it difficult for [Judge Unger], for her children and for her family. So, in that regard, moving on to Mr. Palmer, Mr. Palmer’s bond is set at $3 million. It is a fair and reasonable bond at this particular point in time.”
Palmer also has a $100,000 bond on two aggravated assault charges after investigators said he pistol-whipped a Little Caesars employee prior to the shooting of Deputy Esqueda.
Outrage over co-defendant’s release
After being arrested in July, Francis was released earlier this week while he awaits trial on charges of capital murder of a police officer and tampering with evidence.
At the time of Francis’ arrest, prosecutors filed paperwork for him to be held without bond, but didn’t follow through with a required hearing within 10 days.
Francis remained in jail without a bond set on the capital murder charge until his defense attorney requested one, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office, and at that point, Judge Unger legally had to set bond, which she did at $500,000 on the capital murder charge late last year.
His bond on the tampering with evidence charge was also $500,000, and on Wednesday, records show Francis used the bonding company Financial Casualty & Surety to get out of jail on a total $1 million bond.
According to his financial affidavit, Francis was unemployed and had zero income at the time of his arrest. He also only listed $1,100 in total assets.
As a bond condition, Francis is now on house arrest and required to have a GPS monitor, according to records.
Sheriff Ed Gonzalez responded to the news of his release on Wednesday, writing on X: “This is an absolutely terrible message and the family of Deputy Esqueda should 100% be upset, which they are.”
This is an absolutely terrible message and the family of Deputy Esqueda should 100% be upset, which they are. https://t.co/PBAmZUEubh
— Ed Gonzalez (@SheriffEd_HCSO) February 26, 2025
Several law enforcement unions also responded, including the Harris County Deputies’ Organization.
“This is a horrible message to send to the Harris County Sheriff’s Office deputies, to deputy Esqueda’s family and on law enforcement officers out there. You know, the judge is saying that their lives and service means absolutely nothing,” union president Jose Lopez said in an interview with KPRC 2. “Deputy Esqueda’s family deserves better, the Harris County deputies deserve better, and every law enforcement officer out there deserves better. The judge releasing this person on bond is making our streets of Harris County more dangerous and this is concerning not just to law enforcement, but also to all of the citizens of Harris County.”
Deputy Esqueda’s murder
The timeline of the crime started little before 10:15 p.m. on the night of July 10, 2024, when deputies learned of an aggravated assault at a Little Caesars on Wallisville Rd. in northeast Harris Co.
Responding officers learned the attacker, identified later as Palmer, went into the restaurant to pick up a pizza but was upset because the order was incorrect. He then reportedly shouted at the staff before taking a gun out and pistol-whipping an employee and taking off.
Later in the night, Palmer’s car was found on Italian Cypress Trail, by 28-year-old deputy Fernando Esqueda, who was working undercover. Investigators say he may have had radio issues, but he was on the phone with another deputy before he was reportedly attacked and then shot.
By the time additional officers arrived, they noted Esqueda’s patrol car was riddled with bullet holes.
They saw that he had been critically wounded by gunfire, according to Sheriff Ed Gonzalez. Officers said they rushed him to LBJ Hospital by a private vehicle, where he almost immediately died from his injuries.
Esqueda was said to be a five-year veteran with HCSO and was part of its Violent Person’s Task Force.
Palmer and Francis were later arrested and charged with capital murder for their roles in the deputy’s killing.
