Mistrial Declared in Tren de Aragua Capital Murder Case: Jury Deadlocks After Intense Deliberations 

In a highly anticipated trial, a Dallas judge has officially declared a mistrial in the capital murder case of Carlos Zambrano Bolivar, a member of the notorious Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). Despite three full days of deliberations, the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the charges of capital murder and aggravated kidnapping, leading to the dramatic announcement of a mistrial on February 13, 2026.

The case centers around the horrific abduction and execution of Nilzuly Arneaud Petit in August 2024, allegedly orchestrated by Bolivar and three other TdA suspects. Petit, reportedly involved in a nationwide ATM theft operation, was executed with a single shot to the head after failing to comply with the gang’s demands for cash. His body was found abandoned in Farmers Branch, while his two young children were left unharmed on a nearby service road.

The trial has drawn significant attention, not only due to the gruesome nature of the crime but also because of the involvement of the Tren de Aragua gang, which has been officially designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Governor Greg Abbott. Texas authorities have since created strike teams specifically tasked with dismantling the gang’s operations in the state.

In the courtroom, the tension between the prosecution and defense was palpable. Prosecutors argued that Bolivar played a key role in the murder, with claims that he was even on the phone with a TdA leader during the execution. The defense, however, presented a vastly different narrative, claiming that Bolivar was a victim of sex trafficking and that his actions were taken under extreme duress and fear for his life.

This marked the second time the jury informed the judge that they were unable to reach a decision, and with no resolution in sight, the judge was left with no choice but to declare a mistrial shortly before 4:00 PM.

The outcome of this trial leaves significant questions unanswered about Bolivar’s role in the crime and the broader reach of the Tren de Aragua gang in the region. As both sides prepare for what could be a retrial, the case continues to cast a dark shadow over the state’s ongoing battle with organized crime groups operating within its borders.