7 1. To take note of the partial recognition of responsibility on the part of the State of Guatemala in this case. 2. To proceed with the public hearing convened for [April 17, 1997], for the purpose of hearing the evidence on the merits in the Blake case insofar as it relates to those events and effects that occurred after March 9, 1987, not expressly recognized by the Government of Guatemala. 30. On April 17, 1987, the public hearing on the merits of the case was held and, pursuant to the Order issued by the Court on the same day, witnesses concerning the acts and effects that occurred after March 9, 1987, were heard. The Court also heard the parties' final oral arguments on the merits of the case. There appeared before the Court: For the State of Guatemala: Dennis Alonzo-Mazariegos, Agent; and Alejandro Sánchez, Adviser. For the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: Domingo E. Acevedo, Deputy Executive Secretary James Vázquez-Azpiri, Assistant Joanne M. Hoeper, Assistant Felipe González, Assistant; and Romina Picolotti, Assistant; and as witnesses called by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights: Richard R. Blake, Jr. Justo Victoriano Martínez-Morales Ricardo Roberto, and Samuel Blake. The following witnesses proposed by the Commission did not appear for the hearing, despite being summoned by the Court: James Elleson Colonel George Hooker Ambassador Thomas Strook Ambassador James Michael, and Felipe Alva. 31. During the course of the public hearing, the court heard the testimony of the witnesses presented by the Commission, which is summarized in the following paragraph: a. Testimony of Richard R. Blake, Jr., brother of Nicholas Blake. The witness testified that Nicholas Blake was his elder brother and was 27 years old when he died. He had submitted a petition to the Commission because Guatemala had not fulfilled its duty to investigate and prosecute the members of the civil patrol responsible for his brother's death. His brother had traveled to Guatemala in 1985 with Griffith Davis to write a