Latest on Chasity and Zella Nuñez killing: Suspect awaits extradition; services Thursday
WORCESTER — Dejan D. Belnavis, one of two men accused of killing Chasity and Zella Nuñez March 5, remained held in California Wednesday pending an extradition hearing.
The Worcester police declined to reveal the location where Belnavis is being held.
According to police, Belnavis, 27, and Karel Mangual, 28, opened fire on an SUV parked on Englewood Avenue around 3 p.m. March 5, killing 27-year-old Chasity Nuñez and her daughter, Zella.
Belnavis was arrested Monday afternoon in San Diego following a traffic stop. Mangual was arrested March 6 in Worcester.
Authorities are hoping Belnavis returns to Massachusetts soon. The next step is an extradition hearing. A spokesperson for the Worcester County District Attorney’s Office said Tuesday that Belnavis is expected to appear for an extradition hearing in front of a judge in California, but it is not clear when that will happen.
Extradition is the process of returning a fugitive back to one state from another. The accused can deny the accusations leading to their arrest, requiring an extradition hearing within 10 days. At the hearing, a judge will determine whether the right person was arrested and review transfer paperwork. If the judge determines the request is proper, the fugitive is held for pickup. The accused may also waive the extradition hearing and agree to return to the other state.
Tuesday, Mangual appeared in Central District Court. His charges were upgraded to include two murder charges. Mangual never entered the courtroom after his lawyer, without opposition, asked the judge to allow him to appear from behind a door.
The attorney entered a not guilty plea on Mangual's behalf. Mangual was ordered held without bail and is scheduled for a probable cause hearing April 12.
Callahan Fay Caswell Funeral Home will host visiting hours for Chasity and Zella Nuñez Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., according to their obituary.
After blowing past initial goals, A GoFundMe organized to pay for funeral expenses and to support Chasity's surviving 2-year-old daughter had raised $52,526 by Wednesday and had a new goal of $100,000.
Wednesday morning, flowers and two candles were located by the section of Englewood Avenue where Chasity and Zella Nuñez were killed.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Chasity and Zella Nuñez murder suspect still awaits extradition
