New Trial Date Set In Terry Thompson Murder Trial

HOUSTON, TX — A judge has set a retrial date for the husband of a former Harris County Sheriff’s deputy accused of murder. Terry Thompson, who is accused of killing 24-year-old John Hernandez in May 2017, will go back on trial Oct. 18.

Thompson went on trial in June, and after nearly 30 hours of deliberation, the judge declared a mistrial.

On May 28, 2017, Terry Thompson was pulling into a Denny's parking lot in Crosby when he saw a man, later identified as John Hernandez, relieving himself outside the restaurant.

Thompson confronted Hernandez and claimed Hernandez punched him and started the fight. Witnesses told police that Thompson, who is much larger, slammed Hernandez to the ground.

Chauna Thompson, who was a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy at the time, arrived a short time later and saw her husband trying to hold Hernandez down in a choke hold.

Chauna Thompson held Hernandez’s hands down while her husband held him in a choke hold. Hernandez stopped breathing during the struggle, and Chauna Thompson called for help and started CPR.

Hernandez died in LBJ Hospital three days later. A week after Hernandez died, the Thompsons were charged with his murder. The couple turned themselves in at the Harris County Sheriff’s Office and have been free on bond since.

The couple will be tried separately in October. They both face a possible sentence of five to 99 years in prison if convicted.

See more:

• Jury Selection Begins In Murder Trial Of Ex-Deputy's Husband
• Murder Trial Begins For Ex-Deputy's Husband
• Couple Charged With Murder Ask For Trial To Be Moved
• Change Of Venue Denied For Couple Accused Of Murder

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Image: Harris County Sheriff's Office

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