37
inadequate.231 That same day, Martín Rojas’ public defender filed a petition for reversal on cassation of
the conviction alleging i) failure to precisely define the crime that the court found as proven in order to
convict Mr. Rojas; ii) violation of due process on the grounds that the judgment of conviction was based
on an imprecise charge; iii) the basis for the punishment is inadequate; iv) erroneous application of
substantive law.232
147. On May 30, 2005, the Third Chamber denied the petitions for reversal on cassation.233
With regard to the arguments pertaining to establishing the crimes, the Third Chamber reiterated the
view of the trial court in noting that “it is unanimously certain with regard to some of the crimes of
charging document.”234 It also noted that “the crimes deemed proven (…) are supported in the evidence
to sustain the guilt of the defendants.”235
148. The Commission notes that a public defender of Alajuela noted in a pleading that, after
examining the judgment of conviction, the motion for review of conviction would be rendered out-oforder.236 He contended that the basis given by the court “is consistent and specific, the analysis of the
facts is clear and it does not present contradictions or gaps.” He also argued that because the two
petitions for reversal on cassation were denied it “limits [the] possibilities of defense (…) inasmuch as
based on the rules in force as to admissibility of a motion for review of conviction, we cannot retrace
our steps or re-allege arguments that have been previously ruled on by [the Third Chamber].”237
149. In a communication received on July 22, 2011, Guillermo Rodríguez filed a motion to
review conviction before the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.238 He alleged that review
of his judgment of conviction is not possible, though it is provided for under the American
Convention.239 He also contended that there was a due process violation on the grounds that i) the
231
Annex 112. Submission of Dora Camacho, public defender of Guillermo Rodríguez, dated January 17, 2005. Annex
to petitioner’s communication of September 20, 2006.
232
Annex 111. Submission of Alejandro Rechnitzer, public defender of Martín Rojas, dated January 17, 2005. Case File
No. 04-002096-042-Pe. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Extraordinary Matters of the Second Judicial Circuit of San José.
Investigation files. 292-301.
233
Annex 111. Decision No. 2005-00529 of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated May 30, 2005.
Case File No. 04-002096-042-Pe. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Extraordinary Matters of the Second Judicial Circuit of
San José. Investigation files. Pages 318-332.
234
Annex 111. Decision No. 2005-00529 of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated May 30, 2005.
Case File No. 04-002096-042-Pe. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Extraordinary Matters of the Second Judicial Circuit of
San José. Investigation files. Pages 318-332.
235
Annex 111. Decision No. 2005-00529 of the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated May 30, 2005.
Case File No. 04-002096-042-Pe. Office of the Prosecuting Attorney for Extraordinary Matters of the Second Judicial Circuit of
San José. Investigation files. Pages 318-332.
236
Annex 113. Undated submission of Óscar Rojas Herrera, public defender of Alajuela. Annex to petitioner’s
communication of September 20, 2006.
237
Annex 113. Undated submission of Óscar Rojas Herrera, public defender of Alajuela. Annex to petitioner’s
communication of September 20, 2006.
238
Annex 114. Submission filed by Guillermo Rodríguez to the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated
July 22, 2011. Annex to petitioner’s communication of October 4, 2011.
239
Annex 114. Submission filed by Guillermo Rodríguez to the Third Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated
July 22, 2011. Annex to petitioner’s communication of October 4, 2011.