HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) — The 2 males charged within the loss of life of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray appeared in court docket for a listening to on Monday, however the case was extra centered on another person.
The listening to was extra centered on former Harris County district legal professional Kim Ogg. A decide dominated that she should cease speaking to the media concerning the case.
Ogg introduced on Dec. 13, 2024, that her workplace would search the loss of life penalty towards Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Pena, two Venezuelan nationals who’re charged with sexual assault and homicide in Jocelyn’s loss of life. Each are being held within the Harris County Jail.
Whereas Jocelyn’s Regulation didn’t make it out of the Texas Home, the struggle for justice within the 12-year-old’s homicide continues. Senate Joint Decision 1 would have modified the Texas Structure by stopping bail for these not lawfully within the nation accused of sure crimes. It was named after Jocelyn, who was discovered murdered, allegedly by the hands of two males within the nation illegally.
The Harris County District Legal professional’s Workplace is in search of the loss of life penalty for Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Pena, two Venezuelan nationals accused in Joceyln Nungaray’s homicide.
The case
On June 17, Jocelyn’s physique was present in a creek within the 400 block of W. Rankin close to Kuykendhal, which is simply strolling distance from the place she lives.
Investigators imagine the younger lady had snuck out of her house the evening earlier than at about 10 p.m. Because the investigation continued, police would later launch photographs of the suspects needed in reference to the case.
ABC13 had additionally obtained surveillance video displaying what gave the impression to be her final moments alive, her whereabouts from that evening, and her encounter together with her accused killers.
Police stated the 2 males began their night at a Northborough-area restaurant collectively. They left the restaurant on foot and have been strolling southbound. Pena and Martinez-Rangel have been later seen speaking with Jocelyn for a couple of minutes on Kuykendahl Street. Later, they have been seen strolling together with her to a comfort retailer.
After a couple of minutes, all three of them would stroll to a bridge the place Jocelyn was murdered, in keeping with police.
Within the days following the grotesque discovery, police would arrest Pena and Martinez-Rangel and cost them with capital homicide.
Now, each suspects sit in jail, awaiting a trial date.
The case has drawn intense nationwide protection as a result of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirming the suspects from Venezuela have been within the nation illegally. Jocelyn’s loss of life has been utilized in a number of political marketing campaign ads, particularly the Ted Cruz-Collin Allred Senate race in Texas.
In July, Sen. Cruz and U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls of Fort Bend County, each Republicans, launched the Justice for Jocelyn Act that they are saying would “enhance the detention and monitoring of unlawful aliens getting into america.” The invoice was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee however hasn’t gone any additional than that.
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