bp: 0/0; pulse: undetectable; breathing: undetectable; pupils dilated and not reflecting light;
CPR was given, but she did not respond, so she was not put on an I.V. drip of Hartmann’s
solution.” The nurse said the “actual time of death was declared at 11:25 a.m.” and that they
called the fire brigade, who made efforts to resuscitate her, but without success.141
102.
The Deputy Coordinator of Medical Services reported that he was called at 11:15
a.m. and that upon arriving he noted that her face showed “facies cadaverica.” He said that
the patient could have presented “a- acute myocardial infarction; b-type II diabetes mellitus
(insulin dependent).”142
103.
In a letter of January 8, 2007, sent by the State to the Commission, it was noted
that, “according to the Prison System report, there is no record of the reasons why Mrs. María
Isabel Chinchilla Sandoval was not taken to the hospital.” 143
104.
The medical examiner and officials of the Public Prosecution Service arrived at the
scene at 12:50 p.m. on the day of her death and examined the corpse at 13:00 hours,
estimating that the time of her death was two hours earlier. 144 The Deputy Director of the COF
reported that the body was taken to the Judiciary morgue at 14:10 hours for the legal
autopsy.145
105.
On May 25, 2004, the Office of the Defender of Due Process and Prisoners of the
Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman informed the Second Judge of Criminal Enforcement
that it had received a report on the death of Mrs. Chinchilla Sandoval, as a result of a fall from
her wheelchair. It requested that the judge provide a detailed report of the dates on which
the deceased had been granted permission to go to hospital for medical treatment and if the
Court had knowledge from the prison authorities that the deceased inmate’s disease had
worsened.146 On May 28, 2004, the Judge of the Second Criminal Enforcement Court reported
on the authorization of appointments and stated that “he was not advised by the prison
authorities that the inmate’s illness had worsened.”147
106.
During the public hearing, Marta María Gantenbein Chinchilla, daughter of Mrs.
Chinchilla Sandoval, declared that on that day she received a call around 10.30 a.m. informing
her of her mother’s death, and that, when she went to the COF, “…some inmates were at the
railings talking to me, but I didn´t pay any attention to them, because of my pain at seeing
my mother lying on the floor covered with a sheet by the door of the Director’s Office and her
Cf. Women’s Orientation Center. Communication from the duty nurse to the Deputy Director of the COF, May
25, 2004 (evidence file, folio 1301)
141
Cf. General Directorate of the Prison System. Women’s Orientation Center. Report of the Deputy Coordinator
of Medical Services of the Prison System of May 25, 2004 (evidence file, folio 1302).
142
Cf. Report of the Government of Guatemala to the Inter-American Commission of Human Rights of January
8, 2007 (evidence file, folios 1888-1891).
143
Cf. Certification of Enforcement 429-96. Judiciary. Of. 7. Office of Forensic Sciences Unit of the Forensic
Medicine Department. Death scene survey. Report of the medical examiner. May 25, 2004 (evidence file, folios 12971300).
144
Cf. Certification of Enforcement 429-96. Judiciary. Of. 7. Women’s Orientation Center. Official letter No.
99/2004. Communication of the Deputy Director of the COF of May 25, 2004, (evidence file, folio 1303).
145
Cf. Human Rights Ombudsman. Office of the Defender of Due Process and Prisoners. Communication from
the lawyer Jorge Mario Castillo Díaz of May 25, 2004 (evidence file, folio 1305).
146
Cf. Certification of Enforcement 429-96. Judiciary. Of. 7. Communication of the Judge of the Second Criminal
Enforcement Court of May 28, 2004 (evidence file, folio 1309).
147
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