The Texas senate has passed a bill that would expand death penalty eligibility for individuals convicted of murdering children.
PREVIOUS: Senate committee recommends expanding death penalty eligibility for child murder under SB 990
Currently, Texas law does not allow the death penalty for individuals convicted of killing children aged 10 to 15. Filed in January by Senator Paul Bettencourt, SB 990 would eliminate this exemption, if passed, ensuring that all child murder victims are treated equally under capital punishment guidelines.
Alexis Nungaray, mother of 12-year-old girl Jocelyn Nungaray, who was brutally murdered last year, was in Austin to support Senate Bill 990 at the senate hearing, along with Crime Victims Advocate Andy Kahan of Crime Stoppers.
On Thursday, the Texas Senate passed SB 990 with super majority bipartisan support, 26-5.
“We’re all tired of the continuing slaughter of our innocent children.” Senator Bettencourt stated. “If you kill our Texas kids, you’ll be doing more than just time— you’ll be subject to the death penalty.”
In Jocelyn’s case, then-Harris County District Attorney Kim Ogg announced in November her office would pursue the death penalty for her accused killers. Franklin Pena, and Johan Martinez-Rangel were charged with sexual assault, making them eligible for the death penalty but SB 990 seeks to remove the need for additional charges like sexual assault to pursue the death penalty in child murder cases.
The bill also includes provisions to remove certain legal restrictions, applying only to future cases.
“What I hope is that Jocelyn and Maria’s deaths are not in vain, that there is a deterrence in the future. If we save just one child because of this,” Senator Bettencourt concluded. “There is just horrific evil out there that has to be stopped, and the slaughter of innocents has to stop.”
The bill now moves on to the Texas House for consideration before its presented to Governor Greg Abbott. If passed, SB 990 would go into effect on September 1, 2025.
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