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Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff
The 24-year-old who was killed after an altercation at a Denny’s in Crosby was buried Saturday.
The family of John Hernandez appeared somber as they left St. Dominic Catholic Church after the service. His immediate family surrounded the casket as it was lifted into the hearse while other loved ones gathered nearby wearing shirts that read “In loving memory of John Hernandez.”
Ignacio Hernandez said he was extremely sad about the death of his son and overwhelmed by the support of the community.
Melissa Hernandez described her cousin as caring and giving.
“That’s what everyone should always remember about him,” she said, adding that she hoped the family would finally be able to put the tragedy to rest.
John Hernandez’ death led to murder charges against Chauna Thompson, 45, a Harris County Sheriff’s deputy, and her husband, Terry.
The Thompsons are out on bail.
The altercation at Denny’s began after Terry Thompson pulled up at the restaurant with his children and saw John Hernandez urinating in public, the sheriff said.
A 50-second video shows Terry Thompson on top of a kicking and grunting Hernandez. A witness said she saw Hernandez turning purple and tried to get Terry Thompson to let him go, but he refused.
Hernandez died three days later from strangulation and chest compressions, the medical examiner ruled.
Scot Courtney, a defense attorney representing Terry Thompson, has said Hernandez initiated the late-night altercation by throwing, and landing, the first punch.
He said Terry Thompson did not intend to kill the man.
The Harris County District Attorney’s Office declined to discuss the charges further except to say that Chauna Thompson was charged under the law of parties, a state law that allows every person who is involved in an intentional crime to be charged with the same offense.
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