Chauna Thompson, charged with murder, appeals termination

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Chauna Thompson, the former Harris County Sheriff's Office deputy who was fired on July 21, is appealing the termination, according to her attorney Greg Cagle.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzales terminated Thompson following an internal affairs investigation into the May 28 confrontation outside a restaurant that ended with the death of 24-year-old Johnny Hernandez.

Thompson was off duty when her husband Terry confronted Hernandez in the parking lot of a Denny’s in the 17700 block of the Crosby Freeway.

Internal affairs says it interviewed 32 people during the course of this investigation.

In criminal complaints, the couple is accused of placing a strangulation hold on Hernandez and maintaining pressure by Terry Thompson placing his 300-pound body on top of him.

In addition to firing Thompson, Sheriff Gonzalez also transferred one sergeant to a new assignment suspended that sergeant for 5 days and ordered additional training.

Another sergeant received a letter of documented counseling.

A third sergeant received a letter of reprimand and ordered to complete additional training.

A deputy received a one day suspension and 30 days probation.