26
Service medical doctor.246 The judge scheduled a hearing for August 27, 2003, 247 which was not held
“because of the excuses submitted by fax by the Public Prosecution Service medical examiner.”248
84.
The evidence hearing was held on August 29, 2003.249
85.
The first to be questioned was the judiciary medical examiner, who said that he “[had] noted
a marked deterioration in [the] health [of Ms. Chinchilla…], since she [suffers from] […] DIABETES MELLITUS,
and […] all the complications associated with this disease have presented themselves, [they being] arterial
hypertension, […] occlusive arteriosclerotic disease of the left lower limb, […] diabetic retinopathy, in
addition to which she has already had the right lower limb amputated […]. Furthermore, she has cancer of the
cervix that is not connected with the diabetes.” The doctor indicated that “[her] treatment is with insulin
taken via intramuscular injection” and he “[did] not know if it was administered to her at the clinic.” As to
whether she had a terminal illness, he said, “No, but in light of the complications associated with the illness ...
her life is in danger ... The most serious one is a diabetic coma.” He said that “if she [did] not have her
medicine, the complications would be more accentuated.”
86.
The attending physician at the HSJD said, “at this moment, just by looking at her, [Ms.
Chinchilla is not at risk of dying].” He said that he was “not familiar with the conditions where she live[d] and
so [he was] unable to say [if she could receive ambulatory treatment].” He said that he did “not know if she
injected herself with insulin or if someone else did.” The doctor answered “yes” when asked if the possibility
existed of instantaneous death and “probably” to the question as to whether or not the interval of 15 days
between her medical visits could result in her death if she did not receive care. With regard to the “cervical
cancer” he said that “[he did] not know.” Finally, he said that internal occlusive arteriosclerosis is a terminal
illness.
87.
The medical examiner from the Public Prosecution Service replied “no” when asked if Ms.
Chinchilla had a terminal disease. He said that he was “unable to say [if she received treatment] because to do
so [he] would need information on what resources the institution has.” He mentioned that “the care that the
patient needs is as follows[:] regular monitoring of blood sugar levels, for someone to keep track of when she
takes her medication, for someone to move her around and, depending on the complications that she might
suffer, to verify if the Center has equipment or access to examinations by a consultant.” He added that “at the
time that she was examined her condition was under control” and that he had “not stated that the patient
ha[d] what [was] needed for her illnesses to be properly controlled.” He said that terminal occlusive
arteriosclerosis was not a terminal disease but “a complication from diabetes in this case that has not been
adequately controlled.” He said that gangrene “is an infectious pathology that can kill a patient if the right
246
The latter indicated that the patient “suffers from systematic illnesses that have no cure but can be controlled
through regularly administered medications”; those systematic illnesses “are going to cause a gradual deterioration in the
patient and therefore, unless said patient meets with an accidental death she will die of a complication from one of these
illnesses.” It is impossible to predict when that will happen since “she is controlled.” It also stated that “the patient could stay at
the Center provided she takes her medication regularly and receives conscientious care from the medical and paramedic staff
assigned to this institution” Appendix 2. Incidental Motions for Early Release. Republic of Guatemala Judiciary Second Criminal
Enforcement Court Final Decision No. 429-96 Of. 7. Sentence Remission Case No. 169-03. Written communication from the
Public Prosecution Service Medical Examiner, June 6, 2003. Marked as Page 4. Appendix 3 to the initial petition.
247
Appendix 2. Republic of Guatemala Judiciary Second Criminal Enforcement Court Final Decision No. 429-96 Of. 7.
Sentence Remission Case No. 169-03. 7º Decision of the Second Criminal Enforcement Court of August 18, 2003. Page 26.
Appendix 3 to the initial petition.
248
Appendix 2. Republic of Guatemala Judiciary Second Criminal Enforcement Court Final Decision No. 429-96 Of. 7.
Sentence Remission Case No. 169-03. Judiciary Written communication from the secretary of the the Second Criminal
Enforcement Court, August 27, 2003. Page 32. Appendix 3 to the initial petition.
249
Appendix 2. Republic of Guatemala Judiciary Second Criminal Enforcement Court Final Decision No. 429-96 Of. 7.
Sentence Remission Case No. 169-03. Judiciary Record of Evidence Hearing August 29, 2003. Pages 47-54. Appendix 3 to the
initial petition.