A magistrate is expected to decide today whether the case against a woman accused of killing nine-year-old Chantel Crump will proceed to trial.
Angela Mejia has been on remand at His Majesty’s Prison for nearly a year following her arrest. The matter returns to the St John’s Magistrates Court after multiple delays.
At the previous hearing, defence attorney Wendel Alexander urged the court to either move the case forward or dismiss it, arguing that his client should not remain in custody while prosecutors continue their preparations.
The case has been adjourned five times, prompting the defence to file for dismissal on the grounds of lack of prosecution. A second bail application was also denied.
Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel granted a final adjournment last month, noting that the case file was still under review by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
During today’s hearing, the court is expected to hold a committal proceeding to determine whether there is enough evidence for the matter to be sent to the High Court.
If insufficient evidence is presented, the case could be dismissed and Mejia released.
Chantel Crump’s body was found in the Weatherills area on 15 March 2025. Police said she had been taken by a woman in a vehicle days earlier.
The case has attracted significant public attention, with today’s ruling likely to determine whether it proceeds to trial or is brought to an end.
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If this murder case doesn’t proceed – as many of us expected -, it’s proof that there’s something fundamentally wrong with our judicial system.
The ongoing delays in so many court cases in the country is beyond embarrassing now. Hopefully the Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin will address this situation immediately!
And:BTW, why has this particular news come out the day after an important by-election vote, and not released beforehand?
Something seems amiss here!
Again, my thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of the deceased. 🙏🏾
I am sure that the ALP assured the Spanish community of their support and protection, have you notice all the diplomatic theater that ALP orchestrated with ambassador to Santo Domingo and all the media blitz to sanitize them?
so what you all trying to say if this go her way the baby life gone for nothing ,this won’t be fair but you know what God is not sleeping and she will never know peace cause she may have all the answers but as old people say duppy know who fu frightened but me know in my book me one na lost I rest my case
GAVELLED!
WHAT THE HELL…! …COURT TO DECIDE: …
***
WELL
From a professional perspective:
(i) ‘…SHOULD COURT BE INFORMED BY THE DPP: that
(ii) …SAMPLES DISPATCHED, IF AT ALL DISPATCHED FOR FORENSIC TESTS: have
(iii) …HAVE NOT YET RETURNED TO ALLOW: for
(iv) … FILING OF STATEMENTS/DEPOSITIONS: and
(b) …TO ALLOW FOR A ‘FIAT’ FOR ‘…COMMITTAL PROCEEDINGS: and
(c) …GRANT FURTHER ADJOURNMENT:’ given
(i) ‘…THE INTEREST NATIONALLY GENERATED:
(ii) …THE NATIONAL CALL FOR JUSTICE: then
(iii) …WHOMEVER IT SHALL BE:
(iv) …THE COURT SHALL BE SEEN: as
(a) ‘…INSENSITIVE:
(b) …INTOLERANT: and
(c) …PROVOCATIVELY STUPID.’
***
WHAT THE HELL: are
(i) ‘…ASSIGNED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATORS: and
(ii) …COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, EVERTON JEFFERS KPM MIGHT JUST BE DOING:
(a) …LOAFING: and
(b) …PREACHING?
***
NOW: …THE QUESTION IS:
‘…WHAT THE HELL, THE GRIEVING FAMILY AND ANXIOUS CITIZENS MUST DO?’
***
WALK GOOD: BUT NOWHERE TO ‘…NEWFIELD,’ THOUGH.
***
But wasn’t it Angela who lead police to where the body was ????????
What more evidence is needed ??
She was either the killer or an accomplice.
Antigua Judicial System Is Crap.
Mr Pompey – gimme your take on this situation please.
Leading the police to the body didn’t mean that she committed the murder. It only means that she was aware of where the body was. They’re had to be evidence that she committed the murder, or was a part of a group that committed the murder, or caused her murder.
Therefore, it’s for the investigators to collect their evidence so that there’s a case for prosecution
Because she took the police to the body does not mean she committed murder or is an accomplice.
It is the police that must prove that she is an accomplice or a murderer.
If the police cannot prove their case she walks.
She could have gone to the beach and saw the body. Recall the police man driving on Jonas Road saw a baby in bushes at the side of the road when it was pit h dark, then the mother was found dead in Old Road? The police did not get charged with anything……
Don’t blame the Court which deals with the law, procedures and rights. Once again this tells us clearly that the Police are inept, indifferent and inefficient. And the DPP is no better.
And all falling under the worse AG in our nation’s history.
The case has been adjourned five times. Does anyone see any similarities between this case and the Nigel Christian murder trial?
It is true this case has not reached the High Court as yet. Meaning it will take some time for the ultimate outcome unless Judge Emanuel drops the case.
I would not be surprised if this case is dismissed, as hard as it is to take such an outcome.
The manner in which this case was handled from the disappearance of the 9 year old that gripped the Country, and her life being cut short at such a tender age; to where we are today is mind boggling.
Maybe I have a feeble mind.
But the initial strong public sentiments has become the norm; now the public seemingly has little concern about a delayed and botched prosecution.
The public emotional reaction and little concern about the CID and DPP handling of this case is also on trial here.
Attorney Wendell Robinson is doing what good defence attorneys are expected to do. Fight like hell circumstances as well the facts, which may justify releasing the accused.
What’s also on trial in my view, is the incompetence and inconsistencies of the Prosecution (CID and The DDP officers).
Should Judge Emanuel release the accused, she is applying reasonable judgement.
In the event the accused is released; Shantel Crump and her parents will be once again victimized, not by the defence attorney or the judge; but the system and those who do not get rid of the corrupt and incompetent law enforcement system in Antigua and Barbuda.
The public outrage displayed when her body was found, and the accused identified. The editorials written will all be performative.
What Chantal Crump and parent’s memories and her legacy should be; is one of transforming The Royal Police of Antigua and Barbuda from a bumbling old mess into a modern and effective police force.
A competent CID or major Crime Squad as well as the DDP’s office should not be requesting another delay at this time.
It is inconceivable that they are asking for an another delay for them to successfully present their case to the court.
I expect the Judge will exercise good judgement, and grant the delay; for Chantal Crump and her family deserves it.
@ POMPEY,
I read you with regards to COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, EVERTON JEFFERS KPM.
I recalled he was on the demonstration line with entreaties and appeal for calm to an angry group of public demonstrators. He asked for calm as the Acting Police Commissioner at the time when the Nation was gripped.
POMPEY: when acting Commissioner Jeffries was nominated by the Royal Service Commission as he was moved through the process to Attorney General.
Jeffries nomination moved reasonable well by AG Steadroy Benjamin on to the desk of the PM. He was left out to dry for an in ordinate time in my view as he awaited the final decision.
I think we are seeing the results of those events playing out; and you seem to be the only recognizable voice that have a clue.
I read you loud and clear Mr. RAWLSTON POMPEY Former Commissioner or the Royal Police of Antiguans Barbuda.
As I expect you would say: What a thing… walking good.
@ Melchesidec,
And we still don’t know who murdered the young woman, or who the suspect may be.
Just as bad; given her age and the age of her child; according to the laws of Antigua and Barbuda to conceive of that child, her make partner would have committed an act of rape.
In any functioning Democracy, the father of the two year old infant found on Jonas Road will have been charged with rape.
Such a trial may have led to the arrest and conviction of 16 year old who body was found down Tree Drive.
Again, our judicial system needs a major overhaul; and urgently! The Attorney General Steadroy Benjamin has a lot to answer for.
So many high profile murder cases are being placed on the back-burner. Why?
My thoughts and prayers are with the families znd friends of the deceased. May the Lord our saviour give them much comfort in these difficult and trying times…🙏🏾
WHAT THE HELL..! @ AVERY JANE: …MEDICAL EVIDENCE- CAUSE OF DEATH
NOT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM
***
Madame, AVERY JANE:
FIRST:
It is ‘…NOT THE JUDICIAL SYSTEM:
It is about ‘…EVIDENCE.’
In this case ‘…MEDICAL EVIDENCE FROM THE PATHOLOGIST.’
***
NOW:
POLICE ARE ALLEGING:
(a) ‘…MURDER: by
(b) …THE UNLAWFUL KILLING OF ‘…LITTLE CHANTEL CRUMP:
***
MURDER SUSPECT:
(i) ‘…They have ‘…CONDUCTED CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS:
(ii) …Having identified and detained the ‘…MURDER SUSPECT:
(iii) …They have ‘…INTERROGATED HER:
(iv) …They would have been satisfied there was: ‘…PRIMA FACIE EVIDENCE,’
This means ‘…ON THE FACE OF THE EVIDENCE OBTAINED: from
(a) ‘…MURDER SUSPECT: and
(b) …IN A SELF-WRITTEN: or
(c) …DICTATED ACCUSED CAUTION STATEMENT.’
(b) …OTHER INDEPENDENT PERSONS INTERVIEWED:
***
SELF-INCRIMINATING STATEMENT
NOW:
Whatever, led Criminal Investigators to so believed, the ‘…MURDER SUSPECT’ had reportedly led them to the ‘…DISPOSAL SIGHT AND EVENTUAL RECOVERY OF THE BODY.’
***
EVIDENTIALL, THESE ARE FINE.
***
THE QUESTION MOVES: from
(a) ‘…WHO KILLED CHANTEL CRUMP: to
(b) …WHAT CAUSED HER DEATH?’
***
THIS COMES: only
(a) ‘…FROM THE ‘…PATHOLOGIST: who
(b) …PERFORMED THE POST MORTEM EXAMINATION ON HER BODY.’
***
NOTABLE, RELIABLE: PROFESSIONALL PROFICIENT AND COMPETENT, PATHOLOGISTS:
(a) ‘…DR. LESTER SIMON: says
(b) …TO THE CORONER:
(c) …TO THE POLICE:
(d) …DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC PROSECUTIONS (DPP): and
(e) …THROUGH THE MEDIA, GENERAL PUBLIC
***
(i) ‘…I CONDUCTED THE POST MORTEM:
(ii) …I DID EVERYTHING I HAVE BEEN TRAINED TO DO: but
(iii) …REALLY COULD NOT FIND A ‘…CAUSE OF DEATH: so
(iv) …THIS REPORT IS ‘…INCONCLUSIVE:’
***
NOW:
(v) ‘…I HAVE PROVIDED SEVERAL VITAL ORGANS SAMPLES: for
(vii) …THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, EVERTON JEFFERS: to
(viii) …SEEK OVERSEAS ASSISTANCE WITH: ‘…FORENSIC ANALYSES.’
***
WISH I COULD HAVE DONE MORE TO BRING CLOSURE, BUT I CANNOT INDULGE IN FALSITY.
***
HENCE, THAT WAS THE MOST THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE BY MY HANDS.’
***
WHAT THE HELL…!
NOTHING ELSE MY BRAIN AND HANDS CAN DO. …JUST WAITING ON THE POLICE, TOO.
***
BE PATIENT ‘..MADAME, AVERY JANE.’ …ME, TOO.
***
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