Murder suspects Jessie Mejia and Hildebrant Codd escape High Court before facing verdicts; Mejia has since been recaptured

Published by BBNTEAM at December 5, 2023

Tags

Posted: Tuesday, December 5, 2023. 11:39 am CST.

By Aaron Humes: Two convicted prisoners made a break for it after they managed to escape from authorities at the High Court, however, police have confirmed that one has since been recaptured.

The accused are Hildebrandt Dominic Codd, 36, an Account Clerk of Gibnut Street, Belize City; and 29-year-old Jessie Mejia, also known as Jessie Jason Mejia, a Construction Worker and resident of Eagle Street, Ladyville, Belize District. Mejia is currently being transported to the cell block at Queen Street Police Station (Precinct 3) after being captured on Baldwin Drive a short while ago, while Codd remains on the run.

The men managed to escape by prying their way through a juror room at the High Court shortly before 10 this morning. Police are now hot on their heels and checkpoints throughout the City are currently active.

Codd was awaiting his verdict before Justice Ricardo O’Neil Sandcroft for the murder of Densmore Bowman from Belmopan in 2020. Meanwhile, Mejia was convicted late last year along with Darwin Prado for a double murder and was facing sentencing. Both cases have since been further adjourned to December 21.

Our court sources say that the escape, in downtown Belize City during the morning rush hour, exposes glaring security issues at the High Court and office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and that officers are currently being questioned as to what happened. We are also told that the main witness who had given evidence against Codd during trial would be placed under protection.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.