Franklin Pena Ramos bond set for $10M in 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray's death
HOUSTON - Franklin Pena Ramos, one of the suspects charged with capital murder in the death of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray, appeared before a judge Monday morning. The judge set his bond at $10 million, citing him as a flight risk. The State had requested a $5 million bond, while the defense asked for $1 million.
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The state presented evidence indicating that the suspect, who works in construction, requested money from his boss to leave town following the incident.
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"Additionally, he was talking to his boss, he works in construction and asking for money because of what they did to get out of town," said Megan Long, a prosecutor in the case.
Pena Ramos, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national, had previously been denied bond along with his co-accused, 21-year-old Johan Martinez.
Court documents shed light on disturbing details from the case, revealing that the suspects allegedly lured Jocelyn under a bridge, spending more than two hours with her before her tragic death. It was reported that they subsequently disposed of her body in a bayou.
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Before these events, Pena Ramos had been detained by Border Patrol agents in El Paso on May 28th, and Martinez was apprehended on March 14th, both being released shortly afterward.
"Our immigration system is broken and if it was ever a case that reflected that, it's this one," District Attorney Kim Ogg said.
Officials said Pena’s current charge doesn’t carry the death penalty.
"As soon as our lab results are back, and if they support a death penalty eligible type of capital murder, then we’ll come back and ask for no bond," said District Attorney Kim Ogg, of Harris County.
Jocelyn’s family just want justice for their little girl.
"She had such a bright future ahead of her and I knew she was going to go very far. These monsters took that opportunity from her," said Alexis Nungarary.
The second suspect in the case, Johan Martinez- Rangel, will appear in court Tuesday morning.