The family of nine-year-old Chantel Crump say they remain determined to see justice served, warning that dismissing the case would send a troubling message about the justice system in Antigua and Barbuda.
Their comments follow renewed arguments in court by defence attorney Wendel Alexander, who is representing Angela Mejia, the woman charged in connection with the child’s murder.
Appearing before Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel on Wednesday, Mr Alexander called for the matter to be dismissed for want of prosecution. He argued that his client has remained on remand at His Majesty’s Prison since her arrest and should not continue to be detained while prosecutors delay progressing the case.
Mr Alexander said repeated adjournments had prejudiced his client and stressed that, given the intense public scrutiny, authorities should either move the case swiftly to trial or release her.
Chief Magistrate Emanuel granted what she described as a final adjournment and set the next hearing for 18 March. Prosecutors told the court the case file remains with the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Chantel, a Five Islands Primary School student, disappeared in mid-March 2025 after reportedly being picked up by a woman in a vehicle near her home. Her body was found days later in the Weatherhills area, prompting national outrage.
Ms Mejia was arrested shortly afterwards and has been in custody since. The court is expected to decide next month whether the matter will proceed to the High Court or be dismissed.
No representative of the Crump family was present at Wednesday’s hearing.
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Justice Justice Justice
Justice for Chantel Crump
The legal system in Antigua is the most wicked known to man
So is Wendel Alexander looking to dismiss this very troubling murder case on a technicality?
What a terrible development!!!
It was only a few days ago, that I’d mention the rise in criminals being released on “technicalities” where defence teams around the world seem to be pursuing those in law enforcement and forensic teams in how their criminal investigations are collated.
A sinister development when these criminals seem as guilty as hell. These “deflective” defence lawyers moves seems to have escalated ever since the notorious O J Simpson trial.
I hope and pray that the family, teachers and the school friends of Chantel Crump witness the justice for Chantel.
Sometimes defence lawyers need to take a hard look in the mirror at themselves…
No release whatsoever before trial, during; and if found guilty…
The technicality is in the poor quality of investigative and prosecutorial work. Leave Wendell alone. You never know, one day you might need him
Attorney Wendell Robinson is doing what any good attorney would do. Fight diligently on behalf of his client. The police prosecution has had sufficient time to build a case and whether this case continues or not and it’s eventual outcome will depend on the police and the work that they have done. I hate to admit it but we have too many serious criminal cases that remains unsolved in this country.
Law- abiding Antiguans should prepare to take revenge on those who harm them or their loved ones.
The “justice” system BEEN failing us.
Easier access to guns and ammunition to law- abiding citizens so that they can exact their own justice is the way forward.
When the ALP aspiring representative was sweet talking you all to calm down, they just did not want antiguan rise up and disturb their Santo Domingo voting base, all them Spanish people get amnesty and passport and crown lands, am sure the killer of Shantel have passport for Antigua too.
So shameful that when politicians commit crimes like stealing the public funds they have to do anything criminal to stay in power like amnesty to all who could fly into Antigua, and now deportees.
And the new attorney Wendell is not no hero, he is supported behind the seen by the attorney general as a bargain to keep secrets from his stint as police commissioner, so the legal department misstep to let him win his cases.
And they will let go this Spanish community so they can get votes.
Wicket cutie and Gaston will do this to secure maria Spanish vote base.
That parent of Shantel would be wined and dined to keep silence and let the election go through.
Gaston, Cutie, Comissioner Jeffers have some empathy, if thisbwa your chidk you would turn Antigua upside-down. This girl needs to be sentenced, we need to know what the motive was, and who she was working with!! This cannot go down this way, we have to protect our children. YOU’RE MAKING ALOT PEOPLE MAD!!
GASTON YOU SAY GOOD GOVERNANCE? WE NEED TO SEE BETTER FROM OUR JUSTICE SYSTEM.
Any way, just fine..Let’s stop wasting money form the government keeping this woman in Jail with protection..Release her to the streets..The citizens will giver the proper sentence without paper work..Don’t worry..Just Release her quickly please.
Can’t happen the prosecutors need to bring the case to court in a timely manner, wait a obeah this how they not ready for Wendell to do the defense and we deal with this Spanish gal once and for all nonsense
It’s almost a whole damn year what are the investing officers doing. Why is the file not ready. Is like they want the case to be thrown out cause they have not want to put in the work
Well they need to fight but who can fight against a wicked legal system
Justice for chantel crump
Sometimes in life what goes around comes around
I would have simply go and kill one of her family members. If is free u want to walk. U can but i will hurt u. And those damn police offers what are they doing? You guys never have sufficient evidence for nothing. Always waiting fr people to give alu hints and not willing to do any of you all own work. Unreliable
You cannot make this stuff up
This island and it’s people seem to be operating on some subhuman level. Nothing seems to be done properly here and it seems Antiguans are unbelievabltly ill-equipped to do anything that requires a level of intelligence . We are our own worst enemy. Once again the legal systems if Antigua and Barbuda show it is not fit for purpose. The day we leave the privy council is the day justice dies in this island
Do the parents take any responsibility for a nine year old who from all reports is not mentally challenged, for her allegedly getting into a vehicle, then waved at bystanders got driven to a Kentucky fried chicken restaurant ordered and got her meal, yet she never screamed or alert anyone along the way? Was she held at gun point from her neighborhood to the Kentucky fried chicken?
At nine years old and living in these serious times, she should have been taught some form of JUST SAY NO, to strangers and move on, either at home or in the school.
Even the alleged kidnapping charge could be in jeopardy of been tossed by the Courts.
Well, We’ve already examined the entire footprint of that dreadful day, leading up to the evilness and wicked minds of all the involved individuals, and we also asked those same questions. I remembered even going a bit further by questioning why that specific day? the long drive from her residence to this specific abduction location, time of day, no disguised or cover up of features.The entire event was in the wide open, and amongst a group of other children, so why was this particular child signaled out? did she called her by name, and if so, how did she know the childs name? and as you asked, why did this child just casually entered an unknown vehicle, driven by a complete stranger, while smiling happily and waving to her friends? and what of the background of her parents? Questions we all asked in the initial phase of this investigation, but today it’s all about justice for an innocent child, who is buried and gone.
@Carvaa ⚖️ justice is blind and this is why a thorough criminal defense attorney like Wendell is dog walking the DPP and the prosecution team like a Doberman toying with a chihuahua.
Her parents will more than like have to take the witness stand.
The defense will order social studies of the family and take them over hot coals.
Did anyone see the accused murder this child?
Papi comprende que esto?
Muerta esta muerta!
Her attorney could even ask for a change of jurisdiction due to the emotions surrounding this case, and claim his client will not get a fair trial.
This is far from over and could even end up at the Privy Council. There’s a whole lot of money behind this girl defense.
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