Outrage after Houston judge allows capital murder suspects out on bail to kill again
A judge in Texas has released a number of murder suspects, including convicts awaiting capital murder sentencing, only to see them commit more violent crimes while free.
Now the community,…

A judge in Texas has released a number of murder suspects, including convicts awaiting capital murder sentencing, only to see them commit more violent crimes while free.
Now the community, including law enforcement, victims, and the state’s governor, have cried foul following several high-profile crimes committed by those out on bail – including a murder-suicide that shocked everyone.
Some are even calling attention to one of the “rogue” judges after a suspect with previous convictions allegedly killed a Texas policeman after being released.
That case was preceded by another where a convict awaiting sentencing for murder killed again after being released on bond by the same judge.
In April, Houston Police Officers Union (HPU) called out Judge Hilary Unger of Texas’ 248th District, which encompasses Harris County, after a capital murder convict awaiting sentencing killed his girlfriend, then shot himself.
“More blood is on Judge Hilary Unger’s hands. Austin Collette pled guilty to another murder in December of 2024, yet he was still allowed to be free before sentencing,” said the union’s Facebook post. “Now he murdered his girlfriend and killed himself. This senseless tragedy was 100% preventable.”
Collette was free on house arrest, complete with ankle monitor, while awaiting sentencing on a 2019 murder charge and facing additional drug-related charges.
The detective in charge of the investigation warned that suspects and convicts can commit more crimes when given such opportunities, especially after being charged with a major crime.
“It can lead to homicide or suicide. People don’t think clearly when facing a large stressor event like that,” Houston Police Homicide Detective Mark Holbrook told local Eyewitness News 13 about Collette.
That’s one reason why judges in other jurisdictions deny bail to capital murder suspects and to those convicted of murder who are awaiting sentencing.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott became furious with Unger in February for letting out an alleged cop killer.
Dremone Francis faces two charges, including murder, related to the ambush of Harris County Deputy Fernando Esqueda, who was shot and killed by two different guns that ejected 41 casing in total, according to local Fox News 26.
Francis admitted to authorities that he hid evidence by disposing of one of the guns used in the ambush, said Fox.
Yet, despite facing capital murder charges and charges of tampering with evidence, Francis was released on $1,000,000 bail, ordered by Unger.
“Rogue Judge Hilary Unger released a cop killer back on the streets. This is outrageous,” said Abbott via X. “Activist judges like Unger don’t deserve to sit on the bench. Texas needs bail reform so dangerous criminals STAY behind bars.”
The HPU again slammed Unger for the “indefensible decision” to allow Francis out on bail.
In a lengthy X post, the union said that Unger’s low bail in the Francis case was “not an isolated case.”
The union said the judge ignored a request by prosecutors that Francis be given no bond because of the severity of the crimes and the danger he poses to the community.
The post accused the judge of having a broader agenda, prioritizing progressive ideas on so-called justice reform, which coddles criminals.
“This is not just about one case. It’s about a broader, systemic failure that has turned Harris County into a national example of what happens when rogue judges put ideology over justice,” the post continued.
The National Police Association (NPA) agreed.
The NPA noted that Unger, who is a former public defender, a member of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and an active Democrat, “is unapologetic about a philosophy—no matter how flawed—that compels her to release into the world individuals who have shown a propensity for violence and a callous carelessness for human life.”
In another case handled by Unger, Andrew Williams killed 71-year-old Martha Medina in a strong-armed robbery after following her from an ATM. At the time of the murder, Andrews was out on a $150,000 bond granted by Unger stemming from other capital murder charges, said NPA.
Since 2021, 162 homicides have been committed by criminals out on bond in Harris County, according to HPU.
A study by KHOU News 11 shows that from September 2016 to September 2021, 113 capital murder suspects were freed on bond in Harris County, with nearly a third of the them (30 cases) getting re-arrested for another crime after being freed.
Voters are paying attention.
In 2024, the incumbent Harris County District Attorney, Democrat Kim Ogg, who some say shares the blame for the bail fiasco, was crushed by her opponent in the Democrat primary.
But her opponent, current DA Sean Teare, also tarred by soft Democrat policies on bail, only just eked out a victory against his GOP rival in a district that usually sees Democrats win by 10 points.
Teare received just 50.8% of the vote versus the Republican, Dan Simons, who received 49.2%.
Now he’ll have to answer why a cop killer was allowed to be set free by the district attorneys’ office with the assistance of Unger.
Unger could be in trouble in 2026 when she is up for re-election.
In 2022, Unger dodged a bullet of her own making, squeaking by GOP challenger Julian Ramirez, by just 16,759 votes out of 1,062,315 votes cast, after voters nationwide started complaining about crime.