Benefit for daughter of man allegedly killed by former Harris Co. deputy and husband

Monday, January 22, 2018
CROSBY, Texas (KTRK) -- A benefit tonight at the Denny's where a man was choked to death last summer will raise money for the college education of his daughter.

John Hernandez died after a confrontation outside the Denny's in the 17700 block of Crosby Freeway in East Harris County on May 28, 2017.

Authorities said the 24-year-old died of a lack of oxygen to the brain, days after the incident which left him in a coma.

Terry Thompson and his wife Chauna, then a Harris County Sheriff's deputy, were later indicted by a grand jury. Each is charged with murder.

Hernandez's wife said the fight started when her husband, who was drunk, went outside the restaurant to urinate and subsequently encountered Thompson.

WATCH: Denny's finds way to honor John Hernandez
Plaque to be revealed in honor of John Hernandez


Cell phone footage captured Terry Thompson on the ground with Hernandez in a chokehold. Hernandez died after the scuffle.

Chauna Thompson was off-duty and arrived after the confrontation started, as documented on security and cell phone video. Nonetheless, following an exhausting investigation, she was ultimately fired by HCSO.

Terry Thompson told investigators that he was defending himself after taking the first punch.

Officials at Denny's are planning to reveal a plaque in Hernandez's honor. They also say that 20 percent of pre-tax proceeds of sales tonight will be donated to the education of Hernandez's daughter, Alexandra.

She is three years old, according to her family. The benefit runs from 5-10 p.m.

The trials of Chauna and Terry Thompson are scheduled for later this spring.

WATCH: Everything you need to know about deadly Denny's fight
A man who later died after a fight at a local Denny's was initially going to be charged.


PHOTOS: Thompsons arrive at Harris County jail after indictment


New eyewitness video shows close view of deadly Denny's fight


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