High Court Denies Bail Again for Guinea Grass Accused Murderer

For the third time, the High Court today denied bail to Nelson De Jesus Segovia, the man accused of killing his neighbour in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District.  The ruling was made with an explanation that there are no special circumstances to justify his release from remand.  The bail application was heard shortly after 1:30 this afternoon before Justice Candace Nanton, where Segovia’s attorney, Senior Counsel Simeon Sampson, argued for his client’s liberty. After considering the submission, Justice Nanton ruled, “The petitioner will not be granted bail. I am not satisfied that enough has been put forward to justify granting bail.” Segovia was therefore further remanded to the Belize Central Prison.  Sampson later acknowledged that under High Court rules, an accused person on remand for murder generally becomes eligible to apply for bail only after three years, unless special circumstances exist.  The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions did not formally object to bail but requested strict conditions should it be granted. Crown Counsel Maria Santana-Nembhard told the court that Segovia would need to relocate upon release, as he lived across the street from the victim’s family. She also stated that due to the current court calendar, the murder trial is not expected to be heard during this session.  Justice Nanton expressed concern about the lengthy delay between the killing and Segovia’s arrest, noting the nearly two-year gap between the April 2022 incident and his eventual detention. The court was advised that the delay was due to the accused being at large, with an APB (All Points Bulletin) issued for his apprehension.  Segovia has now spent just over two years on remand, falling short of the three-year threshold typically required to renew a High Court bail application in murder cases. Attorney Sampson indicated he would likely advise his client to wait another two years before applying again.

According to the facts of the case, the fatal shooting occurred on Friday, April 15, 2022, around 3:45 p.m. in Guinea Grass Village, Orange Walk District. Officers responded to information of shots fired and proceeded to the Northern Regional Hospital, where they observed the motionless body of 30-year-old Jose Miguel Cedillos, who had sustained shotgun wounds to both hands and his chest. Investigations revealed that Cedillos had been in his yard when he became involved in a dispute with a male individual who then drew a firearm and fired several shots before fleeing the scene. Witness statements later identified the alleged shooter as Nelson De Jesus Segovia.  After remaining on the run for over a year, Segovia was located on November 5, 2023, in Belmopan.  As of today, Segovia has spent approximately two years, three weeks, and two days on remand awaiting trial.