The case against Angela Mejia, accused of murdering nine-year-old Chantel Crump, has been committed to the High Court following Wednesday's proceedings at the St John's Magistrates' Court. According to Antigua News Room, prosecutors submitted additional evidence during the hearing, prompting Chief Magistrate Ngaio Emmanuel to order the matter sent to trial.
The Chief Magistrate temporarily stood down the case to allow the prosecution to email a list of 50 additional exhibits that will form part of the evidence when the matter is heard before a judge and jury.
The development follows months of delays that kept Mejia on remand at His Majesty's Prison for nearly a year since her arrest. Defence attorney Wendel Alexander had repeatedly pressed for the matter to either proceed or be dismissed, arguing that his client should not remain in custody indefinitely while prosecutors continued to prepare their case. The defence had also filed an application seeking dismissal for want of prosecution after the matter was postponed on multiple occasions.
A second bail application was denied, leaving Mejia in custody ahead of the committal proceedings.
The court had previously been informed that the case file was under review by the Director of Public Prosecutions, which prompted what was described as a final adjournment before Wednesday's hearing.
The charges stem from the death of Chantel Crump, whose body was discovered in the Weatherills area on March 15, 2025, days after she was reportedly taken by a woman in a vehicle near her home.
The High Court will now determine Mejia's fate as the case proceeds to trial.
