The next Monday, April 14, 2025 The audience of acceptance of charges of María Fernanda Bonillawho is the main suspect of participating in the death of Melisa Palaciosin Zacapa.
In January 2022, once stopped by the case, from inside a detention center, Bonilla made a transmission on social networks using a cell phone.
This fact caused a new investigation against him, and was subsequently linked to criminal proceedings for the crime of Illegal use of mobile terminal equipment in centers for deprivation of liberty.
At the hearing of Monday, April 7, 2025, Bonilla, through his defense, requested to adhere to the special procedure of acceptance of chargeswhich will allow you to obtain a reduction in the penalty and avoid prolonged judgment.
The judge in Zacapa began the hearing, but this had to be rescheduled because the defense of Bonilla requested the presence of a lawyer of the Attorney General’s Office (PGN). The institution must participate to determine the dignified repair payment that corresponds after a sentence.
When Bonilla did the transmission from a mobile phone, he spoke about the legal process and the facts related to the crime against Melisa Palacios.
Also read: This is how the Melisa Palacios case is: why it stagnates again and what follows from now
The Zacapa District Prosecutor’s Office will request a sanction in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Codebut it will be the judge who finally determines the penalty that will be imposed.
According to article 26 of the Law against Organized Crime, the use of cell phones or electronic devices within the centers of deprivation of liberty is a crime sanctioned with prison sentences of six to ten years.
However, by accepting the procedure for accepting charges, Bonilla could benefit from the minimum penalty.
In addition to the case for cell phone use in prison, María Fernanda Bonilla faces another ongoing criminal process for her alleged participation in the death of Melisa Palacios, which occurred in August 2021 in Zacapa.
Although it was captured in Agoste of that same year as the main suspect, this case remains stagnant, since it has not advanced to the trial stage due to procedural delays, departure of judges and challenges, waiting to be determined if it will be transferred to a court of greatest risk in the capital of Guatemala.