Texas
Texas senate passes bill expanding death penalty eligibility for child murder under SB 990
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.
SEE ALSO: Jocelyn Nungaray’s suspected killers under investigation for connections to Tren de Aragua gang, warrant reveals
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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A day off at the pool — and a little sunburn — didn’t stop the Minnesota Twins’ momentum.
Brooks Lee hit a three-run homer as Minnesota scored multiple runs in the first inning for the third consecutive game, and the Twins went on to complete a series sweep of the Texas Rangers with a 9-3 win Thursday.
Minnesota has won four games in a row and scored 25 runs in the three-games series in Texas. The two teams had a rare, mid-series day off on Wednesday with the England-Croatia World Cup game being played in Arlington.
“We’re locked in every day,” Lee told Audra Martin on the team’s broadcast. “Yesterday, taking time off, lay out by the pool, get a little burnt and then right back to it. We did a good job getting focused. I feel like we do that with rain delays, too, just lock back in and we’re doing it.”
Lee’s 12th homer capped a four-run first off Jack Leiter (3-7). Trevor Larnach made it 6-0 in the fourth with a two-run shot to straightaway center that just cleared the extended glove of leaping Alejandro Osuna. Larnach’s third hit was an RBI single in the fifth, and Ryan Kriedler hit a two-run homer in the eighth.
Joe Ryan (5-3) struck out seven but needed 97 pitches to get through five scoreless innings while allowing three singles. Leiter was done after the fourth, and has given up 17 runs while losing three starts in a row.
The Twins never trailed in the sweep that extended their winning streak to four, matching their longest this season. Their 14-5 record at Globe Life Field is the best for any American League opponent since the ballpark opened in 2020.
Wyatt Langford, Ezequiel Duran and Justin Foscue hit solo homers for the Rangers, who have lost five of six games. They are 0-15 when giving up multiple runs in the first inning.
Twins DH Josh Bell, who was born in nearby Irving and grew up in the area, had an RBI single before Lee’s homer. Bell hit a three-run homer in the first inning of the series-opening 4-2 win Monday, and had an RBI single for a 2-0 lead in the first of a 12-2 win on Tuesday.
“We’re just passing the baton each time,” Lee said of the offensive output. “Our guys are hot. They feel good and they came out swinging today. It was awesome to see. We’ve done that for a while now.”
Up next
Twins rookie left-hander Connor Prielipp (2-4, 5.26 ERA) starts Friday at Arizona. The Diamondbacks are scheduled to start right-hander Michael Soroka (8-3, 3.11).
Watch CBS News
A Texas state trooper was killed in a crash in the Panhandle, becoming the 244th Texas Department of Public Safety officer to die in the line of duty since 1823, according to the agency.
Sergio Romero, 27, died Wednesday after a semi-truck pulled in front of him as he attempted a traffic stop around 4 p.m. on U.S. 287 in Childress County, DPS said.
In a statement, Col. Freeman F. Martin praised Romero’s courage, integrity, and service.
“Today, we grieve the loss of one of our own,” Martin said. “… Our hearts break alongside his family, friends, fellow troopers, and all who loved him. We will never forget the ultimate sacrifice he made in service of his fellow Texans.”
Romero previously served with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office before joining DPS as part of Class B-2025 in Childress, the agency said.
He is survived by his wife, Francisca, and their two young sons.
Funeral arrangements are pending. The crash remains under investigation.
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