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Dallas Judge Declares Mistrial in Capital Murder Case Tied to Tren de Aragua After Jury Deadlock

The county plans a retrial later this year with a new jury.

Overview

  • Judge Ernest White ended the trial after jurors deliberated three full days and twice reported they could not reach a unanimous verdict.
  • Carlos Zambrano Bolivar is charged with participating in the August 2024 kidnapping of Nilzuhly Petit, his daughter and nephew, with Petit later found shot dead in Farmers Branch.
  • Prosecutors said Bolivar played a central role, including staying on a call with a Tren de Aragua boss, while the defense argued he acted under duress as a sex‑trafficking victim.
  • Lead detective Karla Vazquez testified surveillance footage showed Bolivar did not appear under duress, while Bolivar told jurors he was beaten and threatened by gang members.
  • Bolivar previously declined a 50‑year plea offer, and DHS has described the defendants as undocumented Venezuelan nationals and documented Tren de Aragua members.