A Texas judge has denied a request for a gag order in the case of Jocelyn Nungaray, a 12-year-old girl allegedly murdered by two Venezuelan nationals who entered the US illegally. The suspects, Franklin Jose Peña Ramos and Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, had sought to silence Nungaray’s family and officials from speaking to the media about the case, which has garnered international attention.
According to reports, the two suspects lured Nungaray under a bridge in June, sexually assaulted her, and then strangled her to death before dumping her body in a bayou. The case has sparked widespread outrage and has been covered by media outlets around the world.
The suspects’ lawyers had sought a protective order to prevent “extrajudicial statements” about the case, citing concerns that public discussion could compromise their right to a fair trial. However, Harris County Judge Josh Hill rejected the request, paving the way for Nungaray’s family to continue speaking out about the case.
Nungaray’s family has been vocal about the impact of the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies on their daughter’s death. Last month, they visited the southern border with former President Donald Trump, and this week, Nungaray’s mother, Alexis, testified before Congress about the dangers of illegal immigration.
Alexis Nungaray pointed out that the suspects were released into the US under the Biden administration’s Alternatives to Detention program, which she believes contributed to her daughter’s murder. “Because of the Biden-Harris administration’s open border policies, catch and release, they were enrolled in the Alternatives to Detention program,” she said. “This meant that they were released into the United States” under Biden’s leadership.
