Ellis Meighan to Stand Trial for Murder, Attempted Murder

Thirty-four-year-old Ellis Gilbert Meighan, also known as “Juice,” has been committed to stand trial for the murder of Roy Lee Burgess and the attempted murder of American national Maia James.  The ruling followed the conclusion of Meighan’s preliminary inquiry today in the Belize City Magistrates’ Court. The proceeding lasted just over an hour, after which the Chief Magistrate determined that there was sufficient evidence for the matter to be tried before the High Court.  Prosecutors submitted more than thirty-five witness statements and several documentary exhibits, including three statements from James. The evidence also included medical records, the post-mortem report for Burgess, firearm examination results, chain-of-custody documents and photographs of the crime scene and autopsy.  Burgess was shot and killed in Placencia on April 14, 2024. James was reportedly shot in the head during the same incident but survived and was flown out of Belize for medical treatment.  Meighan did not identify any alibi witnesses during today’s proceeding. However, the court informed him that he has seven days to submit their names in writing.  Meighan, who marked his thirty-fourth birthday behind bars on September 5, was deported from the United States and handed over to Belizean authorities on September 12, 2025. He was subsequently charged in connection with the two shootings.  His trial is expected to begin during the High Court’s October session, which opens on October 7.