Trial set for January 2027 for Jerdene Jorgenson in ‘Goofy’ Phillips murder case; attorney to seek bail

By Breaking Belize News Staff: Nearly three years after the killing of David Anthony Phillips, better known as “Goofy,” a January 2027 trial date has been set for accused murderer Jerdene Eton Jorgenson.

Jorgenson, 39, appeared before Justice Candace Nanton in the High Court on Friday, where his murder trial was scheduled to begin on January 25, 2027. A pre-trial hearing has been set for December 1, 2026.

Jorgenson is accused of murdering Phillips, whose body was discovered on September 28, 2023, in the Western Pines area near Mile 8 on the George Price Highway. Police said at the time that Phillips had been taken from Belize City to the area and that surveillance footage formed part of the investigation. Jorgenson and Lloyd Anthony Burgess were subsequently jointly charged with murder.

During Friday’s hearing, Jorgenson’s attorney, Ronnel Gonzalez, raised several disclosure matters, including additional evidence the prosecution intends to introduce.

The Crown indicated that it will not rely on an alleged police interview involving Jorgenson. The prosecution, however, intends to rely on forensic evidence and is expected to call the doctor who conducted the post-mortem examination because the written report was considered insufficiently legible for the court.

Justice Nanton ordered the Crown to file its additional evidence by October 29, 2026. The defense was also ordered to provide its alibi information by the end of Friday.

Gonzalez additionally asked the court to consider granting Jorgenson bail ahead of his January trial. Justice Nanton did not rule on bail but instructed the defense to formally file a bail application and notify the Crown, after which a hearing date will be set.

Jorgenson was initially charged alongside Burgess in October 2023. Burgess was later freed after the murder charge against him was withdrawn on instructions from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Jorgenson was among several murder accused formally brought before the High Court in September 2025 as their cases moved toward trial.

He is due back before Justice Nanton on December 1 for the pre-trial hearing.

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