HOUSTON — Tensions ran high when the second capital murder suspect in the Jocelyn Nungaray case made his first court appearance Tuesday morning.
Johan Jose Martinez-Rangel, 22, is one of two men charged in the death of the 12-year-old girl whose body was found in a north Houston creek last week.
A judge set Martinez-Rangel’s bond at $10 million.
WARNING: Some of the following details are graphic.
During the hearing, prosecutors said Martinez-Rangel admitted to a witness that he had done something bad, that he’d hurt someone, that the person was dead and that he had to finish what he started.
They said Martinez-Rangel had bites and scratches on his arms when he was arrested.
The other accused killer, Franklin Peña, told investigators that Martinez-Rangel was the one who was on top of Jocelyn, according to prosecutors.
"He {Peña} did say that he [Martinez-Rangel] did tie her up and he suggested they throw her into the bayou to get rid of any DNA," Assistant District Attorney Megan Long said. "But that's coming from the co-defendant. Once we receive the physical evidence, we hope to have a clearer picture of what exactly happened under the bridge."
They also found evidence on Martinez-Rangel's phone that he was looking for ways to leave the country.
After the hearing, Jocelyn's grandmother shouted, "Murderer, look at my face!" as Martinez-Rangel was escorted out of the courtroom, according to multiple witnesses.
"When you’re dealing with the loss of a 12-year-old child who had their whole life ahead of them, this will be an emotional case for prosecutors and family," Long said.
On Monday, a judge also set a $10 million bond for Peña, 26. The bond amount was double what prosecutors were asking for.
Even though they're both charged with capital murder, neither is eligible for the death penalty, according to Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg. However, that could change if the ongoing investigation reveals underlying crimes like sexual assault or kidnapping.
“Make no mistake, this was a horrific crime,” Ogg said during a press conference.
Jocelyn’s family joined Ogg in a news conference Monday as they continue to fight for justice for Jocelyn.
“She was a very special little girl that deserves her justice,” said Alexis Nungaray, Jocelyn’s mother.
This is a case that’s now getting a lot of national attention, partly because the suspects are undocumented immigrants.
The suspect arraigned on Monday, Franklin Peña, is accused of cutting off an ankle monitor issued by Border Patrol after Jocelyn’s death.