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Killing of Jocelyn Nungaray

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Killing of Jocelyn Nungaray
LocationNorth Houston, Texas, U.S.
DatePast 10 PM on Sunday, June 16, 2024
Body found at 6:15 AM on June 17, 2024
Attack type
Child homicide by strangulation
VictimJocelyn Nungaray, aged 12
MotiveSexual gratification
Accused2
Charges

On June 16, 2024, Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl, was killed in North Houston, Texas. The case attracted national attention, as two illegal immigrants from Venezuela were charged with her murder.[1] Authorities found her body the next morning in a creek in North Houston, and determined she had been raped and murdered by strangulation.[2] Texas prosecutors have indicted the suspects on charges of capital murder, kidnapping, and aggravated sexual assault.

Prelude

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United States Border Patrol apprehended Johan José Martínez-Rangel near El Paso on March 14, but he was released that same day, on an order of recognizance, with a notice to appear in court at a later date. U.S. Border Patrol arrested Franklin José Peña Ramos on May 28, also near El Paso, but he was also released with a notice to appear in court at a later date.[3]

Killing

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Nungaray snuck out of her house at 10 PM on June 16.[4] The two accused men had started their evening at a restaurant. While walking, they met Jocelyn on Kuykendahl Road, and talked to her for a couple of minutes.[5] According to court documents, they were asking her for directions. The three then walked to a convenience store. After a few minutes, they walked together to a bridge, where Jocelyn was strangled. Court documents allege that the three of them were under the bridge for over two hours, during which Jocelyn was tied up and had her pants taken off.[3] Results from the Houston Forensic Science Center showed that the victim was sexually assaulted before her death.[6] Early in the morning on June 17, police received a call about the discovery of Nungaray's body lying in a ditch near her home.[7]

Two suspects, identified as 22-year-old Johan José Martínez-Rangel and 26-year-old Franklin José Peña Ramos, were arrested on June 20 at 13355 Northborough Drive at the Canfield Lakes Apartments.[3] Both were charged with capital murder.[8] Police released surveillance images of the two suspects; their roommates, one of which was Peña's boss, reported them to the police.[9][10] Martínez-Rangel had bite and scratch marks on his arms at the time of his arrest.[11]

Court proceedings

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Houston Mayor John Whitmire had wanted both defendants to be held without bail indefinitely; on June 24, bond was set at $10 million for Peña.[12][13]

In the bail hearing on June 23, Harris County Assistant District Attorney Kim Ogg stated that Peña had told police that he had kissed the victim, but that Martínez-Rangel was responsible for the murder and assault. Martínez-Rangel appeared in court the next day, and admitted to tying the victim's legs together and ordering Peña to throw her into a nearby creek. Both men were scheduled for a September 2024 return date to court.[10]

Ogg stated that the two suspects were not eligible for the death sentence under Texas law due to the victim's age; however, if it was found that Nungaray was kidnapped or raped, both would be eligible for the death sentence.[14] In September 2024, the suspects were charged with kidnapping and aggravated sexual assault of Nungaray.[15]

On December 13, 2024, the prosecution filed official notice to seek the death penalty for the defendants.[16]

Reactions

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott called for the death penalty for the two accused.[17] Donald Trump blamed President Joe Biden for the death of Nungaray, claiming that Biden's immigration policy had led to her death. The Biden administration expressed their condolences to the Nungaray family.[7] Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the murderers of Nungaray would be held accountable.[18]

Nungaray was indirectly mentioned by Trump in the first 2024 presidential debate against Biden on June 27.[19][20][21] Her funeral was held on the same day. Houston businessman Jim McIngvale paid for Jocelyn's funeral.[22][23]

Lieutenant Governor of Texas Dan Patrick announced that he would introduce a law to block bail for capital murder suspects, named "Jocelyn's Law".[24] Texas Senator Ted Cruz announced the "Justice for Jocelyn" act in July 2024 that would introduce harsher measures against undocumented immigrants.[25]

Senator Ted Cruz mentioned Jocelyn Nungaray by name at his 2024 Republican National Convention speech on July 17.[2]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Sources:
    • Homer, Michelle; Whitfield, Stephanie; Jacobo, Victor; Bragg, Trason; Wilson, Lea (June 21, 2024). "ICE: Men charged with capital murder in Houston girl's death entered US undocumented". KHOU. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
    • Wiley, Jessica (June 22, 2024). "Vigil honors 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray who was murdered and found in creek in north Houston". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
    • Humble, Ahmed (June 23, 2024). "Jocelyn Nungaray to be laid to rest Thursday in north Houston, public invited to attend service". KPRC. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
    • Marley, Ronnie (June 20, 2024). "JOCELYN NUNGARAY MURDER: 2 men charged in 12-year-old's death in Houston". FOX 26 Houston. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  2. ^ a b Planas, Antonio (June 22, 2024). "2 men accused of strangling 12-year-old in Houston are charged with capital murder". NBC News. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  3. ^ a b c Jones, Luke (June 21, 2024). "12-year-old girl tied up, pants taken off when she was strangled, records allege". ABC13 Houston. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Acosta, Nicole (June 21, 2024). "Cause of Death Revealed for Jocelyn Nungaray, 12-Year-Old Texas Girl Found Slain in Creek". People Magazine. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Homer, Michelle; Miles, Jason; Galvan, Jaime E. (June 24, 2024). "Men charged with killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray aren't eligible for death penalty but that could change". KHOU.
  6. ^ "12-year-old girl found in creek had been sexually assaulted, Houston Forensic Science Center says". ABC13 Houston. July 1, 2024. Retrieved July 4, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Nagovitch, Paola; Colomé, Carla Gloria (June 26, 2024). "The killing of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray: Trump's latest weapon against migrants". EL PAÍS English. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  8. ^ "2 men arrested in strangulation of 12-year-old Houston girl whose body was found in a creek". AP News. June 20, 2024. Archived from the original on June 23, 2024. Retrieved June 23, 2024.
  9. ^ Turner, Sammy (June 29, 2024). "Man accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray confided in boss, court documents say". KHOU. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  10. ^ a b Limehouse, Jonathan (June 26, 2024). "Jocelyn Nungaray timeline: After 12-year-old girl's body found, two charged with murder". USA Today. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Rahming, Devon; Homer, Michelle (June 25, 2024). "Jocelyn Nungaray case: Here is what co-defendant Peña told investigators about Martinez-Rangel". KHOU. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  12. ^ Ferguson, John Wayne (June 24, 2024). "Judge sets $10M bail for one of two men accused of killing 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 24, 2024.
  13. ^ Washington, Chad (June 24, 2024). "One of 2 suspects in the death of Jocelyn Nungaray gets $10 million bond". CW39 Houston. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  14. ^ Galvan, Jaime E.; Homer, Michelle (June 26, 2024). "Who is Jocelyn Nungaray, 12-year-old Houston girl found strangled?". KHOU. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  15. ^ McClenagan, Kyle (September 16, 2024). "New charges of sexual assault, kidnapping filed against suspects accused of murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray". Houston Public Media.
  16. ^ "Prosecutors will seek the death penalty for 2 Venezuelan men accused of killing Texas girl". Associated Press. December 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Goodman, J. David (June 25, 2024). "Killing of Texas Girl Becomes a New Immigration Flashpoint". The New York Times. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 26, 2024.
  18. ^ Flores, Rosa; Andone, Dakin; Weisfeldt, Sara (June 26, 2024). "Houston 12-year-old's killing becomes focus of immigration debate as 2 undocumented migrants are charged with capital murder". CNN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
  19. ^ Terry, Christian (June 28, 2024). "Donald Trump says he spoke with mother of Jocelyn Nungaray before presidential debate". KPRC. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  20. ^ Gutierrez, Gabe; Lebowitz, Megan (June 22, 2024). "Death of 12-year-old girl in Texas fuels Trump-Biden debate on immigration". NBC News. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  21. ^ Ferguson, John Wayne (June 29, 2024). "Trump attacks Biden on immigration, invoking killing of Houston 12-year-old". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  22. ^ Zdanowicz, Christina (June 27, 2024). "A 12-year-old who loved Twilight, Harry Potter and old music: What we know about Jocelyn Nungaray and the men accused in her death". CNN. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 28, 2024.
  23. ^ Johnson, Octavia (June 27, 2024). "Jocelyn Nungaray's GoFundMe reaches more than $80K, Mattress Mack tells public to keep donating". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
  24. ^ Grunau, Sarah (June 28, 2024). "Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick vows to propose 'Jocelyn's Law' after 12-year-old's alleged killers granted $10 million bond". Houston Public Media. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved June 29, 2024.
  25. ^ Saavedra, Ninfa (July 11, 2024). "Sen. Ted Cruz introduces new act honoring Jocelyn Nungaray that would enforce detention, tracking of illegal migrants". KPRC. Archived from the original on August 16, 2024. Retrieved July 11, 2024.
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