DECLARES I) WITHOUT MERIT the motion for Extraordinary Early Release for Remission of
Sentences filed by the inmate MARÍA INÉS CHINCHILLA SANDOVAL.167
115.
On February 27, 2003, Mrs. Chinchilla filed an “appeal and statement of
grievances” with the First Criminal Court. She argued that “the prison has inadequate
infrastructure to allow [her] to communicate freely with [her] relatives and others; that the
Center does not have the infrastructure to store medication that requires refrigeration, such
as insulin, which is indispensable for [her] to stay alive, and without refrigeration it goes bad.”
She added that she did not “have access to other medicines.” She also said that she “[did]
not know if the cancer detected [in her vagina was] benign or malignant.” That same day, the
Court forwarded the brief to the Fourth Division of the Court of Appeals, which in turn
forwarded it to the Second Court the following day. 168
116.
On March 3, 2003, the Judge of the Second Criminal Enforcement Court concluded
that “the challenge [was] out of order”, because it was not filed within the three-day period
prescribed by law and, “in any case, the appellant should not have appealed to a court other
than the one with jurisdiction under the law.” 169
C.2
Second incidental motion for “early release due to terminal
illness”
117.
On May 5, 2003, Mrs. Chinchilla filed a petition for early release “due to terminal
illness,”170 before the Second Criminal Enforcement Court. The motion stated that, among
other diseases, she suffered from “occlusive arteriosclerosis of the lower limbs, a terminal
illness that obstructs blood circulation,” that in a short period of time this could cause “a brain
embolism.”171 Attached to the petition were medical certifications from the Chief of the Medical
Records Department,172 a COF conduct report173 and a communication from the COF
Multidisciplinary Team stating that “this Center lacks the specialized staff and infrastructure
to provide her with better health care” and that “she should be granted early release.” 174
118.
In a certification dated May 30, 2003, the Judiciary’s medical examiner stated
that Mrs. Chinchilla “presents symptoms of a terminal illness, with problems in her lower
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Republic of Guatemala Judiciary. Enforcement No. 429-96 Of. 7.
Remission of Sentences file. Decision of the Judge of the Second Criminal Enforcement Court of February 14, 2003
(evidence file, folios 1080-1082).
167
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. Remission of Sentences File. Brief of appeal and statement of grievances of Mrs. María Inés Chinchilla
Sandoval of February 27, 2003 (evidence file, folios 1087 to 1092).
168
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Enforcement No. 429-96 Of. 7. Remission of Sentences
File. Decision of Judge of the Second Criminal Enforcement Court of March 3, 2003 (evidence file, folios 1094-1095).
169
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. Request for extraordinary release due to terminal illness of May 5, 2003 (evidence file, folios 950-954).
170
171
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. Application for liberty extraordinary by terminal illness of May 5, 2003 (evidence file, folios 950- 954).
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. San Juan de Dios General Hospital. Medical Certificates 1268-02, 878-01. 2076-02, 1802-02 of
November 6, 2002, May 25, 2001, November 18, 2002, and October 7, 2002, respectively (evidence file, folios 955959).
172
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. Women’s Orientation Center. Conduct Report. April 14, 2002 (evidence file, folio 960).
173
Cf. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Judiciary. Second Criminal Enforcement Court. Enforcement No.
429-96 Of. 7. Brief of the Multidisciplinary Team of the COF. May 26, 2003 (evidence file, folio 970).
174
37