Justice
After the audience was suspended against María Fernanda Bonilla, indicated by the death of Melissa Palacios, the defendant said she will not accept charges and said: “My crime is not murder.”
María Fernanda Bonilla, pointed out of the death of Melissa Palacios, in Zacapa, says she will not accept charges. (Free Press Photo: Taken from @idv_gt)
María Fernanda Bonilla, accused of the death of Melissa Palacios, declared on Wednesday, March 12, after the intermediate stage hearing was suspended, that she will not accept charges in that process and that she is prosecuted for a crime she did not commit.
For this Wednesday, the intermediate stage hearing of María Fernanda Bonilla was scheduled in a Zacapa Court; however, It was suspended due to a challenge.
For that reason, Judge Juan José Regalado Rivas did not resolve whether the defendant will face trial.
“I don’t know what is the fear that I, at the time, can get freedom if they – Melissa’s family – are aware that my crime is not murder, my crime is homicide in a state of violent emotion,” Bonilla told journalists who covered the audience.
He added: “I don’t know if Melissa’s family is again poorly informed. Gentlemen, I am giving your face, I am giving your face, I am facing justice. ”
The defendant assured the media that he does not plan to accept positions and that he will face justice, referring to the fact that he has won several amparos in the Constitutional Court.
Bonilla arrived at the court under a strong police device and carrying a armored vest.
Melissa Palacios disappeared on July 4, 2021 in San Jorge, Zacapa. A day later, his body was located with multiple blows to the head.
⚖️ The intermediate phase audience for the death of Melissa Palacios was suspended. The lawyer of #Avictima InstituteJuan Carlos Aquil explained that at the previous hearing the defense retracted from the procedure of the law of acceptance of charges. 🧵 pic.twitter.com/bt9mhktuky
– Victim Institute (@idv_gt) March 12, 2025