IV JURISDICTION 18. The Inter-American Court has jurisdiction to hear this case in accordance with Article 62(3) of the Convention, as Ecuador has been a State Party to the American Convention since December 28, 1977, and recognized the contentious jurisdiction of the Court on July 24, 1984. V EVIDENCE 19. Based on the provisions of Articles 46 and 50 of the Rules of Procedure, as well as on its jurisprudence relative to evidence and the examination thereof,7 the Court will examine and weigh the documentary evidence submitted by the parties on various occasions during the proceedings, as well as the statements of the victims and the expert witness reports given via affidavit and during the public hearing before the Court, along with the evidence to facilitate adjudication of the case requested by the Tribunal (supra para. 9). In doing so, the Court will follow the rules of sound judgment within the applicable legal framework.8 A. Documentary, testimonial, and expert evidence 20. The Tribunal received various documents presented as evidence by the Inter-American Commission, the representative, and the State along with their principal briefs (supra paras. 1, 4, and 5). Likewise, the Court received the testimony given before public notaries (affidavits) by the following alleged victims and expert witnesses: a) Agustín Abraham Vera Vera. Alleged victim. Brother of Pedro Miguel Vera Vera. Testimony offered by the representative. Addressed the effects allegedly suffered by Mr. Pedro Miguel Vera Vera, his mother, his stepfather, and his siblings as a result of the facts alleged in this case. b) Francisco Rubén Vargas Balcázar. Alleged victim. Stepfather of Pedro Miguel Vera Vera. Testimony offered by the representative. Addressed the measures taken before medical officials and State authorities so that they would provide adequate medical care to Mr. 7 Cf. Case of the “White Van” (Paniagua Morales et al.) V. Guatemala. Preliminary Objections. Judgment of January 25, 1996. Series C No. 23, para. 50; Case of Cabrera García and Montiel Flores V. México. Preliminary Objection, Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of November 26, 2010. Series C No. 220, para. 24, and Case of Abrill Alosilla V. Perú. Merits, Reparations and Costs. Judgment of March 4, 2011. Series C No. 223, para. 35. 8 Cf. Case of the “White Van” (Paniagua Morales et al.) V. Guatemala, supra note 7, para. 76; Case of Cabrera García and Montiel Flores V. México, supra note 7, para. 24, and Case of Abrill Alosilla V. Perú, supra note 7, para. 35. In its answer to the application, the State offered testimonial evidence. Nevertheles, via communication of December 8, 2010, withdrew it. 9