Case Against Accused Murderer Falls Apart 

Twenty-six-year-old Leeroy Bardalez is today a free man after the Office of Public Prosecutions entered a nolle prosequi, effectively discontinuing the case.

Crown Counsel Sheiniza Smith stated that the prosecution could not continue as two crucial witnesses were unavailable: one was unwilling to testify, and the other could not be located by police.

Bardalez was charged for a 2020 Faber’s Road shooting that killed Ricky Nelson Miguel and injured Thalia Westby. He initially faced charges of murder, attempted murder, use of deadly means of harm, and dangerous harm. Following a preliminary inquiry, the case was moved to the High Court for trial.

In 2019, Bardalez was charged with the attempted murder of Belize City resident Melroy Pelayo. Pelayo was shot in the leg while on Rio Grande Crescent in the Faber’s Road Extension area. Pelayo received treatment and was later released. =