The funeral for Jocelyn Nungaray, the 12-year-old Houston girl allegedly killed by two illegal immigrants and left for dead in a creek, will be held Thursday. Jim McIngvale, known as 'Mattress Mack,' is covering the costs for the service and will host a celebration of Nungaray's life at one of his Gallery Furniture locations.
Nungaray was found strangled to death near a creek, a tragic incident that has shocked and angered local officials and raised questions about border policies under the Biden administration. Two illegal immigrants from Venezuela, Johan Jose Rangel Martinez, 21, and Franklin Jose Peña Ramos, 26, have been charged with capital murder for luring Nungaray under a bridge, sexually assaulting her, and ultimately killing her.
Ramos was reportedly wearing a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement ankle monitor at the time of the alleged murder. The case has sparked concerns about the criminal justice system's ability to prosecute the suspects, with bail set at $10 million for each.
Houston Mayor John Whitmire emphasized the need for the justice system to act swiftly, expressing worries about delays in murder trials in Harris County. McIngvale criticized the handling of criminal cases in the county, pointing to Montgomery County as a more accountable jurisdiction.
Senator Ted Cruz called for the death penalty for Martinez and Ramos if convicted, attributing the tragedy to what he described as the consequences of open border policies under the Biden administration. The community mourns the loss of Jocelyn Nungaray and seeks justice for her untimely death.
