43
169. With regard to judgment No. 92-2002, on November 4, 2003, a motion for review of
conviction was filed alleging failure to provide a basis for the punishment and improper application of
the conduct to the criminal offense (tipificación).280 The motion was amended and expanded on January
12, 2004, alleging that illegal evidence and a search without a warrant of the court were introduced.281
170. On March 11, 2004, the Court of Criminal Cassation granted the motion for review of
conviction.282 It held that “based on the analysis set forth in the judgment, it was proven that the
defendant (…) impersonated an authority and with a weapon in hand threatened the three occupants of
the vehicle (…) whom he forced to hand over to him all of the property they had on them.”283
171. On April 19, 2005, Mr. Vega filed a motion for review of conviction alleging that he was
unable to enjoy his right to appeal judgment to a higher court and, therefore, it constituted a violation
of Article 8.2.h of the Convention.284 On May 18, 2005, he also contended that his right to a defense was
violated on the grounds that he had just then received the assistance of a public defender days after
being arrested and taken into preventive detention.285
172. On October 12, 2005, the Court of Criminal Cassation denied the motion for review of
conviction filed by Mr. Damas.286 With regard to the allegation of the violation of the right to appeal
judgment, the Court of Criminal Cassation noted that he does not prove, “through the petition for writ
of reversal on cassation, what the obstacle is that precludes him from contesting the facts or else
proving improper assessment of the evidence.”287 With regard to the allegation on violation of the right
to a defense, because he claims he was not assisted by a defender until after he was ordered to be
placed in preventive detention, the Court of Criminal Cassation noted that based on the evidence in the
case file, it is apparent that “he was always assisted by a technical defense expert.”288 It further noted
that said aspect was never raised during the pretrial phase or at the preliminary hearing.289
280
Annex 134. Submission of motion for review of conviction, dated November 4, 2003. Case File No. 01-002231063PE1. Pages 67-70. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
281
Annex 134. Amendment and addition to motion for review of conviction, dated January 12, 2004. Case File No. 01002231-063PE1. Pages 74-82. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
282
Annex 134. Decision No. 2004-0232 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated March 11, 2004. Case File No. 01002231-063PE1. Pages 95-99. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
283
Annex 134. Decision No. 2004-0232 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated March 11, 2004. Case File No. 01002231-063PE1. Pages 95-99. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
284
Annex 134. Submission of motion for review of conviction, dated April 19, 2005. Case File No. 01-002231-063PE1.
Pages 105-110. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
285
Annex 134. Case File No. 01-002231-063PE1. Pages 120-123. Annex to petitioner’s submission of July 16, 2007.
286
Annex 135. Decision No. 2005-1030 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated October 12, 2005. Annex to
petitioner’s communication of May 28, 2007.
287
Annex 135. Decision No. 2005-1030 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated October 12, 2005. Annex to
petitioner’s communication of May 28, 2007.
288
Annex 135. Decision No. 2005-1030 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated October 12, 2005. Annex to
petitioner’s communication of May 28, 2007.
289
Annex 135. Decision No. 2005-1030 of the Court of Criminal Cassation, dated October 12, 2005. Annex to
petitioner’s communication of May 28, 2007.