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Death of a 12-year-old: Texas prosecutor calls for death penalty for migrants
A Texas prosecutor is seeking the death penalty for two Venezuelan men who murdered a 12-year-old. The case is polarizing within the 2024 election campaign.
Death of a 12-year-old: Texas prosecutor calls for death penalty for migrants
The big guns are rolling out in the state of Texas: Prosecutor Kim Ogg has announced that she will seek the death penalty against two Venezuelans accused of kidnapping, sexually abusing and murdering 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. This horrific act occurred in June 2024 and has quickly become a central issue in the debate over U.S. immigration policy, particularly during the presidential election campaigns. Ogg described the murder as “as vile, brutal and senseless as any other act in my time in office.” According to Al Jazeera reports, the two suspects, Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, and Franklin Jose Pena Ramos, 26, entered the United States illegally and were previously briefly detained by the US Border Patrol but released.
The significant backstory is that this issue was used by many Republicans, including incoming President Donald Trump, to argue for tighter controls at the border. Trump exploited the tragedy of Jocelyn's mother, Alexis Nungaray, as part of his campaign for a "safer America." In his campaign, he called for the death penalty to be imposed on migrants who kill Americans. This rhetoric has heavily influenced the immigration policy debate, particularly as Republicans have sought to draw a link between illegal immigration and violent crime, as AP News breaking news stories highlighted.
Criminal case and political reactions
The case has not only put pressure on the government but also heavily criticized President Joe Biden's immigration policies. While the Republican Party has focused heavily on this incident to highlight a perceived immigrant crime wave, several studies show that immigrants are generally less likely to commit crimes than natural-born citizens. Yet the political rhetoric remains unchanged and will continue to be used as an arsenal in the upcoming election. The murder of Jocelyn Nungaray has become a symbol of the demand for more consistent immigration rules.
The two suspects are being held on $10 million bail and are now at the center of a trial whose outcome could have both legal and social consequences. While this issue is hotly debated by Ogg as the incumbent district attorney, responsibility for the case will soon pass to new district attorney Sean Teare since Ogg was not re-elected in the last election in November.