Menéndez, Carlos Cedeño Vite, and Freddy Contreras had not had any participation in the death of her son, Jhon Mero Parrales—to allow her to drop the charges she had lodged against these men and stated that she would not be pursuing any criminal or civil suits against them.71 In the same written document, Mrs. Parrales indicated that she would continue to press charges against the primary party responsible for the death of her son, Mr. Lenin Ordóñez, as the only person liable for the accused crime.72 82. On May 3, 2000, the family members of murder victim Jhon Mero Parrales signed a written statement of commitment before a notary in which they expressed their agreement with the actions of Mrs. Rosa Rufina Parrales Cedeño in dropping personal charges against the aforementioned men and their commitment to not pursue any civil or criminal suit against them.73 83. On May 4, 2000, Mr. Palma’s daughter, Mrs. Rosalía Mariuxi Palma Bravo, expressly dropped charges lodged against Medardo Cevallos Balda, Medardo Cevallos Gómez-Piñán, David Cevallos Gómez-Piñán, Carlos Cevallos, Marcelino Gómez Ponce, Ramón Bravo Mera, Vicente Domínguez Avilés, Jhonny Menéndez, Carlos Cedeño Vite, and Freddy Contreras and also agreed not to bring any criminal or civil suit against them.74 In the same written statement, Mrs. Palma Bravo indicated that she would continue to press charges against Lenin Ordóñez, as the primary party responsible for her father’s murder and the only person liable for the accused crime.75 84. On May 5, 2000, Mrs. Lidia Guadalupe Bravo, the common-law wife of Mr. Palma, signed a document of commitment at the Fourth Notary Public of the District of Manta, in representation of the minor and adult children of Mr. Palma in which she expressed her intention to join Mrs. Rosalía Mariuxi Palma Bravo in dropping charges against the aforementioned men and her commitment to not pursue any civil or criminal charges against them. 76 85. On May 9, 2000, Mrs. Perfelita Matilde Mendoza Aguayo, mother of Mr. Palma, filed personal charges against Medardo Cevallos Balda, Alberto Cevallos GómezPiñán, Medardo Cevallos Gómez-Piñán, David Cevallos Gómez-Piñán, Ramón Bravo Mera, Carlos Cevallos, and Marcelino Gómez Ponce as the intellectual authors of the murder of her son; and against Lenin Oswaldo Ordóñez Ortiz, Freddy Simón Contreras Luna, Stanley Vicente Domínguez Avilés, Johnny Menéndez, and Carlos Vite, as material perpetrators of the murder of Marco Bienvenido Palma Mendoza.77 71 Written statement led by Mrs. Rosa Rufina Parrales Cedeño in criminal trial 319-97 of Lenin Ordóñez for the crime against persons, signed by Rosa Rufina Cedeño Parrales. Appendix to the State’s communication of August 24, 2000. 72 Written statement addressed to the Eleventh Criminal Court Judge of Manabí by Mrs. Rosa Rufina Parrales Cedeño in the criminal trial 319-97 of Lenin Ordóñez for the crime against persons, signed by Rosa Rufina Cedeño Parrales. Appendix to the communication of the State dated August 24, 2000. 73 Fourth Public Notary of the district of Manta, Written testimony authorized by Notary Atty. Simón Zambrano Vinces. Appendix to the communication of the State on August 24, 2000. 74 Written statement addressed to the Eleventh Criminal Court Judge of Manabí by Mrs. Rosalia Mariuxi Palma Bravo, in criminal charge No. 319-97 against Dr. Medardo Cevallos Balda, Ing. Medardo Cevallos Gómez Piñán, and Lenin Ordóñez Ortiz. Appendix to the communication of the State dated August 24, 2000. 75 Written statement addressed to the Eleventh Criminal Court Judge of Manabí by Mrs. Rosalia Mariuxi Palma Bravo, in criminal charge No. 319-97 against Dr. Medardo Cevallos Balda, Ing. Medardo Cevallos Gómez Piñán, and Lenin Ordóñez Ortiz. Appendix to the communication of the State dated August 24, 2000. 76 Fourth Notary Public of Canton Manta, Written testimony authorized by Notary Atty. Simón Zambrano Vinces. Appendix to the communication of the State of August 24, 2000. 77 Written statement addressed to the Judge of the Eleventh Criminal Court of Manabí by Perfelita Matilde Mendoza Aguayo. Appendix to the communication of the State on August 24, 2000.