Texas Prosecutors Seek Death Penalty in High-Profile Murder of 12-Year-Old

Harris County DA Kim Ogg announces plans to pursue capital punishment for two undocumented Venezuelan nationals accused of killing Jocelyn Nungaray in a case tied to U.S. immigration debates.

Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, face capital murder charges for the June killing of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray in Houston, Texas.
The suspects, undocumented migrants from Venezuela, allegedly kidnapped, sexually assaulted, and strangled Nungaray before leaving her body in a creek.
Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg filed notice to seek the death penalty, citing the brutality of the crime and the suspects' illegal entry into the U.S.
The case gained national attention during the 2024 presidential election, with President-elect Donald Trump using it to advocate for stricter border policies.
Critics highlight studies showing immigrants commit crimes at lower rates than U.S.-born citizens, despite the political focus on this case to link immigration with criminality.