22 Agapito was detained.”107 The Second Trial Court did not rule in that regard and merely indicated “add the information to his background.”108 90. On September 27, 2001, Roberto Ruano Torres, brother of José Agapito, and two other persons appearing as witnesses, submitted a brief to the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador stating that the person known as Chopo was Rodolfo Ruano Torres and not José Agapito Ruano Torres.109 Therefore, they said, “if what the case says is true, the person who should know anything would be the brother who is the person who goes by that ALIAS.”110 91. The pre-trial hearing began on October 1, 2001, in the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador. At the beginning of the hearing the accused, including José Agapito Ruano Torres, were asked if they wanted to make statements. The audio of the pre-trial hearing shows that Mr. Ruano Torres stated “I am willing to make a statement.” However, the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador did not allow him to make a statement. On the contrary, following his response another one of the accused was asked if he wanted to make a statement.111 In addition, various witnesses testified that on the day that Mr. Rodríguez Marroquín was kidnapped, Mr. Ruano Torres was working with his brother Roberto Ruano Torres remodeling a school until late in the evening.112 They also pointed out that the nickname Chopo belonged to Rodolfo, the brother of José Agapito Ruano Torres.113 During the questioning of Mr. Rodríguez Marroquín, he named and pointed out all of the accused, including José Agapito Ruano Torres, present in the hearing as participants in his kidnapping.114 He further stated that after the suspects in the kidnapping had been arrested, he had seen them “in the newspapers and in one video.”115 92. On October 5, 2001, the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador convicted José Agapito Ruano Torres, José León Pérez Alvarado, José Orellana, José Dolores Ruano, Francisco Mejía, Ricardo Antonio Figueroa, Toribio Chiquillo Rodríguez, Joaquín Rodríguez and Miguel Ángel Guzmán as co-perpetrators in the kidnapping of Mr. Rodríguez Marroquín and sentenced them to fifteen years in prison.116. The Court based its decision on the corroborating (unánimes y contestes) statements of Jaime Rodríguez Marroquín and Javier Amaya Villalta.117. With regard to the testimonial evidence relating to 107 Annex 1. Communication signed by the Mayor of the Municipality of Guazapa, dated September 21, 2001, page 553, criminal case file 77-2001-2. 108 Annex 1. Brief of the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador, dated September 26, 2001, page 555, criminal case file 77-2001- 109 Annex 1. Brief signed by Roberto Ruano Torres and two other persons, dated September 2001, page 560, criminal case file 77- 110 Annex 1. Brief signed by Roberto Ruano Torres and two other persons, dated September 27, 2001, page 560, criminal case file 111 Annex 2. Audio of the pre-trial hearing on compact disc No. 2. 2. 2001-2. 77-2001-2. 112 Annex 2. Statements of Eleazar Antonio Alemán, Roberto Ruano Torres, José Alberto Orellana Barrera and Nublas Parada Zelaya. Audio of the pre-trial hearing on compact discs No. 6 and 7. 113 Annex 2. Statements of Roberto Ruano Torres and María Maribel Guevara. Annex 2. Audio of the pre-trial hearing on compact discs No. 6 and 7. 114 Annex 2. Statement of Jaime Rodríguez Marroquín. Audio of the pre-trial hearing on compact disc No. 3. 115 Annex 2. Statement of Jaime Rodríguez Marroquín. Audio of the pre-trial hearing on compact disc No. 3. 116 Annex 1. Judgment of the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador, dated October 5, 2001, page 590, criminal case file 77-2001- 117 Annex 1. Judgment of the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador, dated October 5, 2001, page 590, criminal case file 77-2001- 2. 2.