The Harris County Sheriff's Office said a 15-year-old put his father, 35-year-old Samson Hernandez, in a chokehold during an early morning altercation on May 5 at a home in the 21400 block of Sagrantino Court. The sheriff's office said Hernandez, who no longer lived at the home, had been fighting with his estranged wife's boyfriend, and the fight spilled into the front yard. Authorities said the teen held his father in the chokehold until law enforcement arrived. Hernandez died, and the teen was later charged with murder.
The teen's great-aunt, Kandice Stofel, said he was trying to protect his mother and did not intend to kill his father. She said she believed the case was self-defense and that she is still coming to terms with the murder charge. Stofel said she believes the teen only meant to hold Hernandez until officers arrived. Hernandez's older sister, Chasity Salazar, said she supports the charge. She said she thinks the teen should be tried as an adult and receive an adult sentence. Neither woman witnessed the confrontation.
Because the defendant is a juvenile, court records were not available for review. It is not known whether the teen will be charged as an adult. A legal analyst said that decision would depend on several factors, including the teen's background and the facts of the case. Based on the information now available, the analyst said he does not believe the teen will be charged as an adult.