Texas prosecutors are seeking the ultimate punishment for two Venezuelan migrants charged with the brutal murder of a 12-year-old Houston girl.
The prosecutor in the case announced plans to seek the death penalty against the suspects, raising debates over immigration policy, as Breitbart reports.
District Attorney Kim Ogg held a press appearance to announce that her office will pursue the death penalty for Franklin Pena, 26, and Johan Martinez-Rangel, 22. The two are accused of the harrowing crime involving Jocelyn Nungaray, which occurred last June in Houston.
Jocelyn Nungaray went missing after leaving her mother's residence in Houston during the early hours of June 17. Tragically, she was later found to have been sexually assaulted and murdered, sending shockwaves through her community. The accused perpetrators, both Venezuelan nationals, were reportedly apprehended near El Paso, Texas earlier this year.
Before the crime, Johan Martinez-Rangel had been detained on March 14, and Franklin Pena on May 28. Both individuals had been allowed into the United States on an order of recognizance, with a notice to appear before authorities at a future date. This practice, often criticized for its perceived leniency, has drawn heavy scrutiny in light of these recent events.
Prosecutors have drawn potential connections between the accused and Tren de Aragua, a notorious gang in Venezuela involved in various violent crimes. This connection, while not yet fully substantiated, forms part of the broader narrative surrounding the case and the accused individuals.
In her announcement, Ogg expressed the gravity of the crime and the rationale behind seeking the death penalty. "We’ll be filing notice by the state of Texas that we intend to seek the death penalty against Jocelyn’s murderers," she stated. Her determination highlights the severity with which the judicial system views crimes of this kind.
Ogg did not refrain from voicing her criticisms of existing immigration policies during her television appearance. She emphasized that actions like those of Pena and Martinez-Rangel underscore the failures of what she labeled as "open border policies."
She further noted, "The Democratic policies of open borders have failed the American public. It’s about time we work with the border czar to stop the violent criminals from crossing into our state." Her comments ignite a broader conversation on the intersection of immigration policy and crime prevention.
Ogg’s position resonates with Nungaray’s mother, Alexis, who has publicly attributed her daughter’s tragic fate to current immigration practices. Accompanied by former President Donald Trump at a rally, Alexis Nungaray underscored her family’s ongoing grief and the desire for more stringent immigration control.
The victim's family supports the prosecutor's decision to seek capital punishment. Ogg has maintained communication with Jocelyn's relatives to ensure they are informed and involved in the legal process. "We feel that a Texas jury will sentence these two defendants, based on the evidence we have, to death," Ogg expressed, reflecting the family's sentiment.
The Nungaray family’s backing for the death penalty reflects their desire for justice and the prevention of similar future tragedies. They hope such legal actions might deter others from committing comparable acts of violence. Personal loss has galvanized their advocacy for change in federal and state immigration policies.
"They made her a target," stated Alexis Nungaray, illustrating the profound impact and heartache wrought by her daughter's untimely death. "Now I will forever be a grieving mother," she added, capturing the enduring emotional toll on their family.
