Would have prefered sooner,

But that much closer to Resolution

 

 

There is no doubt that all of us would have preferred a more timely date for trial.  We have been waiting so long already, and now we are looking at another 8 months before we start trial.

We know the following: 

The trial date is assigned by the judge who was holding the case file, in this case, Judge Manuel Rojas Salas.  This is done in conjunction with staff coordinators who assist in sequencing the dates and assign on a rotating basis, the actual panel of judges who will serve as the Tribunal.  There are three revolving panel of judges in this particular jurisdiction.  The panel that was assigned to hear the case is a new combination of judges that is not active today.  Judge Manuel Rojas, who held the case file up to now, and will head the Tribunal, is considered a tough but fair and excellent jurist by our lawyer and the defense.

Different factors are considered in the selection of a date:  The anticipated length of trial, other cases of complexity that may be going on at the same time, whether someone is being held in detention awaiting trial, the hundreds of other cases of lesser duration that are scheduled around it... etc.

We understood that up to a year's wait would not be unheard of, although more probable was somewhere between four and six or seven months.  The Constitutional Court ordered the Judge to set a trial date.  It does not interfere in it's scheduling, nor did it make any comment in that reference.

The defense lawyers were hoping for sooner, but accept this date as realistic, and more than anything else, are extremely pleased to finally have a date certain.  They also expressed optimism that the judges will be rested and fresh returning from their month long holiday ready for a extended trial, as opposed to starting in November with a panel who is worn out and ready for a break.

Nevertheless, that's the date.  Chronologically 8 months, but sequentially 6, since the courts are on hiatus during the holidays in December and January.

To all of us who continue to wait for resolution:  We also finally have a date certain, for the first time since this all began.  Let's plan our lives as best we can around it and get ready for a possibly long haul starting on February 5th.

Each passing day brings us that much closer.
 
Thank you for all you've done.

 

 

Grupo UCCR
Nosotros si, seguimos con usted!
uccr@ticostuff.com
http://www.ticostuff.com/uccr/