Death penalty sought for two Venezuelans charged in Texas girl's murder

Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg has declared her office's intention to pursue the death penalty in the case against Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Pena. The two Venezuelan nationals face charges for the sexual assault and murder of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, which occurred on June 16.

Ogg's office has filed an official notice with Judge Josh Hill’s 232nd District Court, informing both defendants and their attorneys of this decision. Martinez-Rangel, aged 22, and Pena, aged 26, are charged with capital murder and remain in custody at the Harris County Jail.

The charges state that the men kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled Nungaray before leaving her body in shallow water under a bridge on West Rankin Road. Both men had entered the United States illegally from Mexico earlier this year. They were initially detained by Border Patrol agents but were released after agreeing to appear in court later. At least one was still wearing an ankle monitor from their detention when arrested for the murder.

The case has garnered national attention due to its severity and the immigration status of the accused. Ogg commented on Friday: “Jocelyn’s murder was as vile, brutal and senseless as any case in my tenure as district attorney. And it was made worse by knowing that these two men were here illegally and, had they been held after being captured at the border, they would never have had the opportunity to murder Jocelyn and destroy her family’s future.”