HOUSTON — WARNING: Graphic details
The two suspects charged in 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray’s killing each told Houston police the other man was responsible, according to a new search warrant.
Johan Martinez-Rangel and Franklin Peña are both charged with capital murder in Jocelyn's death. According to the July 12 search warrant, the two men deflected blame when speaking to HPD detectives immediately following their arrest.
When detectives interviewed Peña, he reiterated his version of what happened on June 16 -- the night Jocelyn was killed.
Pena stated that he and Martinez-Rangel left an Ojos Locos bar in north Houston around 10 p.m. and began walking back to their apartment. Along the way, he said they got lost and went to a 7-11 nearby where they met Jocelyn and asked for directions.
After leaving the 7-11, the search warrant states that Peña saw Martinez-Rangel kiss Jocelyn on the lips before he wrapped his arms around Jocelyn’s neck. He later guided her underneath a bridge along Rankin Road where he took off her pants and climbed on top of her, according to Peña.
Peña said he told Martinez-Rangel to stop, but he allegedly replied “I have to finish what I started.” He later strangled Jocelyn to death, tied up her hands and feet and put her body in the bayou underneath the bridge, according to Peña.
Peña stated that he did not know what happened to his or Martinez-Rangel’s clothes after the murder, but he believes his co-defendant got rid of them. Peña also stated that he observed Martinez-Rangel cutting his beard, when he asked why, he replied “So that they don’t recognize me.”
According to the warrant, Peña stated that he didn’t touch Jocelyn or physically or sexually assault her.
When Martinez-Rangel spoke to detectives, he pointed the finger back at Peña and claimed that his co-defendant was solely responsible for the murder.
The search warrant states that he initially distanced himself from the murder, and detectives ended the interview because of the continuous denial.
Martinez-Rangel later reinitiated the interview and told detectives that he did tie up Jocelyn’s hands and feet. However, he claims that he told Peña to put her body in the bayou to wash away DNA evidence.
The search warrant states that both men had injuries on their arms when they were arrested, but there was no further information on what caused the injuries. HPD initially filed the search warrant to obtain more information on Martinez-Rangel’s cellphone records.
Both men remain in jail with a $10 million bond each.