The Loss of Melisa Palaciosoccurred July 5, 2021it is still a devastating blow to your family, but also a reminder of the love and goodness that she left behind. His mother, Anabella Chacónsays that, even with a broken heart, they remember Melisa as a young woman full of generosity and love for yours.
“I am a mother who was taken away from her daughter unfairly. My struggle is to seek justice for her”he began by saying about the judicial case that is about to turn almost four years, Without determining if there will be a trial.
What we miss most from Melisa It is to see her gathered with everyone, enjoying her family, organizing coexistence. It was always the one who kept everyone togethersays his mother, with the pain reflected in his eyes.
Melisa, ”he recalled – was the family heartthe one that took everyone to be close and shared special moments.
“I always wanted to help others. I asked me to give food to the vendors who passed through the house, even if they hadn’t sold anything. I want you to remember it like this: young, enthusiastic”Remember your mother.
He pain for his death is unbearableand every time He faces the defendantssuffering intensifies. “Seeing those who murdered my daughter is the most painful. It’s like reliving that day again and again. Seeing the faces and hands of those who killed her is very hard”.
But, despite that pain, the mother stands firm in her Fight for Justice. “I will not allow this case to be unpunished. Some do not do it out of fear, but the death of a daughter cannot remain like this. I know that I am not alone; the words of support give me strength to move forward”.
Melisa was not only a Loving daughterbut also a Example of generosity and overcominghe said. His mother remembers how his sister insisted that will not studyto follow your example. “Melisa wanted everyone around to be better, not to settle”he added.
Dedicated to his career, he had just obtained his Audit title At the university level; However, everything was truncated a month later, to mid -2021when Life was taken.
In his spare time, he liked Play football either go for a walk. An anecdote that his mother recalled, precisely, was when they left walking together, accompanied by their cousins. “When we returned, we met here at home. Then we sent food. We were laughing a lot, a lot, without knowing what was going to happen the next day.”.
Through the social networksthe family said that it has received support from many people, which gives them Hope in the midst of tragedy. “People’s support, the memories they share with Melisa, give me strength to continue fighting”his mother concluded.
Francisco ChacónMelisa uncle, says that for them the judicial process has not been fair And that there are doubts about guarantees that should govern in a case like this. “This process is not only for my niece, but for all people who suffer injustices, invisible and forgotten cases in Guatemala”he said.
From your perspective, it is essential that the Justice system acts with integrity. “It is urgent that criminals be tried for the crimes they committed, not by those who were modified arbitrarily”says Chacón, referring to the Crime qualification by which the defendants are processed.
“Our family was no longer the same. We had to look for strength to move forward […] It is an experience that I do not wish anyone, although I know that, unfortunately, in this country there are many families that share this pain, and the hardest thing is that many of them never found justice, which is precisely what we were still looking for ”he said.
Current state of the process
The criminal process for the death of Melisa Palacios Follow in Intermediate stagebut the Victim Institute insists on transfer the file to a Court of greater risk In the capital, due to doubts about the Impartiality of the current court.
According to the lawyer of that institution, Juan Carlos Aquilthe request is based on the Three judges in charge have already known previous phases of the caseeven when the defendants tried to take advantage of a procedure of acceptance of charges And then they retracted.
“That already compromises their objectivity. It is not possible for those who knew that stage continue to decide the course of the process”held.
Although one of the Recusations was accepted And a judge was separated from the court, the other two judges, including Juan José Regalado RivasThey continue in the case, he said.
The lawyer also said that the Current legal qualification is provisional and? No rational indications have been established to classify it as a Homicide in a state of violent emotionas defense intends.
“If the transfer is not achieved, there is a risk that substitute measures are issued in favor of those indicated”he warned, reaffirming that this is his position.
The Transfer request It was rejected on a first occasion by the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) in 2024but it is in Appeal process.
Currently, representatives of the victim’s institute and Public Ministry They expect the audience to the Amparo and prejudice chamber of the CSJ To solve if the case Change jurisdiction.
Also read: Chronology of the death of the young Melisa in Zacapa in 2021