Following the brutal murder of a 12-year-old girl in Houston, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick promises action—stating that he will ensure the Texas Senate passes new bail reform legislation.
“I just left the funeral of 12-year-old Jocelyn Nungaray. Her alleged killers, both here illegally, with one actually wearing an ankle monitor given to him by the federal government, are charged with brutally murdering her last week,” Patrick posted on X. “Jocelyn’s family was shocked any bail was given in this case.”
Patrick stated he’ll address this in the next session. The proposed law he’s put forward has been named “Jocelyn’s Law” in memory of Jocelyn Nungaray—who was allegedly murdered by two illegal aliens from Venezuela.
If passed, “Jocelyn’s Law” would empower Texans to amend the constitution to automatically deny bail for those facing capital murder charges. This would apply even if subjects are not eligible for the death penalty. Patrick has also said that the Senate will revamp “Lauren’s Law,” which would make murderers of any child under 15 eligible for the death penalty. As of now, only killers of children aged under 10 years old can be eligible for execution.
“I am positive Texans will overwhelmingly approve this change to our Constitution,” stated Patrick.
Additionally, he reflected on past bond-related legislation the Senate passed that Patrick said House Democrats and Republican Speaker of the House Dade Phelan (R—Beaumont) shot down. “If only the House had passed SJR 44 last session, these two alleged killers could have been denied bail,” Patrick said.
Gov. Greg Abbott commented on the murder and lack of border security today as well. In a Friday Fox News interview, he stated that Secretary of State Alejandro Mayorkas “has no clue” about what is currently happening at the southwest border.
Pinning the horrific crime to Biden’s open-border policies, Abbott said that Nungaray “would be alive today” if President Joe Biden had secured the border.
