The St. John's Magistrates Court is expected to make a pivotal decision today, March 18, on whether the case against Angela Mejia — the young woman accused of killing nine-year-old Chantel Crump — will proceed to the High Court for trial. According to Antigua.news, the hearing follows nearly a year of delays that have kept Mejia on remand at His Majesty's Prison since her arrest.
The case has been postponed five times, prompting defence attorney Wendel Alexander to file a formal request for dismissal for want of prosecution. At the last hearing, Alexander urged the court to either advance the matter or drop the charges entirely, arguing that his client should not remain incarcerated indefinitely while prosecutors continue preparing their case.
Alexander also revealed that a second bail application had been submitted during a previous hearing but was denied, leaving Mejia in custody while awaiting further court action.
Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emanuel subsequently granted what was described as a final adjournment, scheduling today's hearing and shortening the typical postponement period to one month. At that time, the court was informed that the case file was still under review by the Director of Public Prosecutions.
During today's proceedings, the magistrate is expected to conduct a committal hearing to determine whether sufficient evidence exists to send the case to the High Court. Should prosecutors fail to present adequate evidence, the defence's dismissal request could be granted — a development that would result in Mejia's release.
The charges stem from the death of Chantel Crump, whose naked body was discovered in the Weatherills area on March 15, 2025. Reports indicate the child had been taken by a woman in a vehicle near her home in the days before the grim discovery.
The case has drawn widespread public attention since Mejia's arrest — she was notably transported to court wearing a bulletproof vest — and today's hearing is expected to determine whether the matter advances to trial or collapses at the magistrate level.
