Roy Thompson mugshot
Share this @internewscast.com

Harris County Criminal District Court 351st Judge Natalia Cornelio apparently has the most defendants out of jail, which, according to Fox 26, means she continues to grant the most bonds to suspected criminals.

In the most recent case, Cornelio granted bond to 36-year-old Roy Don Thompson, Jr., a convicted felon with charges dating back to 2003.

“You’ve got assaults, terroristic threats. You’ve got robbery, you’ve got a lot of stuff going on here,” Director of Victim Services and Advocacy with Houston CrimeStoppers, Andy Kahan, said.

“I actually thought we stopped any defendant charged with a violent crime and what I’m looking at assault of a pregnant person is a violent offense. It clearly states right here you cannot get a PR bond.”

According to court documents, Cornelio, who’s been charged with assault, was released from jail on his own recognizance in February. Now, he is a wanted fugitive.

This isn’t the first time Cornelio let violent inmates out on bail, Kahan said.

As CrimeOnline previously reported, 20-year-old Jonathan Vera and two other suspects invaded a home in the Greenpoint area of Houston on October 19, 2019. They shot and killed Silvano Cortez during the process.

“Held the homeowner and his wife at gunpoint, ransacked the house, and ended up killing a 55-year-old homeowner and shooting another person while they were trying to flee the scene,” Kahan previously told Fox 26.

In June 2018, Vera, 17 at the time, was arrested and charged with capital murder. A judge set his bond at $250,000. In March 2021, Cornelio lowered Vera’s bond to $50,000, the outlet reports.

“The 351st District Court, I mean, lowered it to what I’ve never seen in my career,” Kahan added. “$50,000 for capital murder.”

After his release, Vera allegedly caused the death of Summer Chester. He was arrested again and charged with manslaughter. According to a GoFundMe page, Chester died during a car crash.

“The reduction of his bond from $250,000 to $50,000 led to the killing of Summer Chester,” Kahan said. “There’s no ifs, and, or buts about it.”

The president of the Houston Police Officers Union, Doug Griffith, told Fox 26 that Texas judges “do whatever they want” because no one has held them liable for their decisions.

“That judge should be held accountable,” Griffith said. “They do whatever they want because no one will hold them accountable.”

So far, the judge in question has not made comment regarding the cases. Check back for updates.

For the latest true crime and justice news, subscribe to the ‘Crime Stories with Nancy Grace’ podcast.

[Feature Photo: Roy Thompson Jr./Police Handout]

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump Administration Aims to Dismiss Abrego Garcia Lawsuit

Left: Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran native residing in Maryland, was deported…

Police Report: Teacher Tragically Killed by Husband in Apparent Murder-Suicide

Context: The area in Nashville, Tenn. where Amina “Anna” Pierce’s body was…

Gorsuch and Alito Express Concerns Over Supreme Court Decision on Nuclear Waste

U.S. Supreme Court Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Neil Gorsuch, Elena Kagan, and Samuel…

Jury Deliberation Continues in Karen Read Murder Trial: Accused of Killing Boston Police Officer John O’Keefe

A Massachusetts jury in the Karen Read murder trial will continue deliberations…

Authorities report man fatally shoots estranged wife and her young niece

Inset: William Almond (DeKalb County). Background: The neighborhood near the 2500 block…

Police Discover Man Relaxing on Couch Among Deceased Wife’s Remains

Left inset: Charles Antwine (Florence County Sheriff’s Office). Right inset: Charles Antwine…

Woman Secretly Marries Ex-Husband Without His Consent: Police Report

Inset: Kristin Spearman (McClennan County Jail). Background: McClennan County Jail (Google Maps).…

Homeless Man Taken into Custody for Allegedly Smashing Publix Windows and Vandalizing Tires on 30 Cars

Staff report GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Early this morning, Amos A. Reece, 43,…

Defense Claims Mushroom Cook Preferred Public Attention Over Remaining Silent

Accused killer Erin Patterson’s account of the deadly beef Wellington lunch did…

R. Kelly’s Attorneys Allege Prison Staff Involved in Recent Hospitalization Due to Drugging

R Kelly was recently taken to the hospital after allegedly being given…

Adelaide Educator Charged with Child Sex Offenses Makes Court Appearance

An Adelaide teacher facing child sex charges has had her first day…

Compensation Reached for Ex-Police Chief’s Wife Fatally Struck by Concrete

Inset: Janet Torrisi-Mokwa (KTVI/YouTube). Background: The car driven by Janet Torrisi-Mokwa after…