The Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) resolved on Wednesday, April 2 that the Criminal Chamber must raise the case for the crime against Melisa Palacios to a court.
The resolution occurred after the CSJ accepted an appeal from the Public Ministry, so the Criminal Chamber must assign a high impact court.
The case of the death of Melisa Palacios, which occurred in San Jorge, Zacapa, has been at the center of attention in recent days.
Palacios was 21 when he disappeared on July 4, 2021 in San Jorge, Zacapa. His family activated an Isabel-Claudina alert and, both they and the authorities, began their search.
However, a day later, the young woman was located without life in a wooded area of Río Hondo, Zacapa.
Prosecutor Edgar Gómez, from the Prosecutor’s Office of Femicide, indicated that now the criminal chamber must summon hearing and know the arguments and then resolve whether he accepts the transfer or rejects it.
He added that in case of resolving the effect, the effect would be to order the Chamber to know the request for expanded competition.
He said that they have not yet been officially notified of what is resolved by the CSJ.
On Wednesday, April 2, the Magistrates of the Mixed Chamber of the Court of Appeals declared without place a challenge against the judge of first criminal instance of Chiquimula, Juan José Regalado, who would continue to know the case, now what the ordered by the CSJ is known.
That same day, the victim’s institute reported in X that he will continue with the commitment to ensure that justice is done for Melisa Palacios and that the defendant María Fernanda Bonilla is judged by the crime of murder and not for homicide in a state of violent emotion.
“It is important to note that the defendants María Bonilla and José Luis Marroquín had requested a hearing for the review of the coercion measure, in which they intend to leave prison. This audience is pending,” the institute added.
He recalled that previously those indicated sought to accept positions; However, they retracted.
We continue with the firm commitment to ensure that justice is done for Melisa Palacios and that the defendant María Fernanda Bonilla is judged by the crime of murder and not for homicide in a state of violent emotion. pic.twitter.com/knslrg6b9J
– Victim Institute (@idv_gt) April 3, 2025