An off-duty sheriff's deputy and her husband have been indicted for murder after the husband choked a man in a Denny's parking lot in Houston. The man later died from those injuries, according to the medical examiner.

Sheriff Deputy Chauna Thompson, 45, and her husband, Terry Thompson, 41, were both indicted for the murder of John Hernandez, 24, District Attorney Kim Ogg said at a news conference Thursday.

"We believe this grand jury's true bill is a reflection of our community's belief that a crime occurred and that that crime was murder and it was participated in by Terry Thompson and his wife, Deputy Chauna Thompson," Ogg said. "We grieve with the Hernandez family and we wish them Godspeed during this difficult time."

More than a dozen witnesses testified, and a grand jury reviewed the autopsy report, the findings of the medical examiner and saw video evidence that was also released to the public. Ogg said Chauna and Terry were offered the opportunity to testify, but they both declined.

Ogg said that the couple participated in the murder under Texas accomplice law, which states that a third party is considered responsible if that person "solicits, encourages, directs, aids, or attempts to aid the other person to commit the offense."

The DA added that while they are investigating if the crime should be considered a hate crime, the grand jury has only moved on allegations of murder.

During the news conference, Ogg said that Chauna and Terry have been ordered to turn themselves in immediately, otherwise, a fugitive task force is standing by.

"We hope we don't need anything like that, there's no indication that we would," Ogg said.

Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez told reporters that Chauna has been "cooperative" during the process.

The couple faces five years to life in prison if convicted. Bond has been set at $100,000 each, according to KTRK.

"This is exactly what we wanted," said Jose Morales, a close friend of the Hernandez family, according to the Houston Chronicle. "Thanks to all the attention, justice is going to be served."