Case Digest (G.R. No. L-1513)
Facts:
- The case People vs. Akai was decided on June 24, 1949.
- Appellants Akai, Anol, and Hadjirol were convicted by the Court of First Instance of Sulu.
- The crimes included robbery with double homicide, physical injuries, and arson.
- The incident occurred on May 12, 1946, around 9 PM in Sipanding, Siasi District, Sulu.
- The appellants, along with six unidentified accomplices, attacked Asaali Asani's residence.
- Family members targeted included Asaali's wife Mora Basan, their daughter Musah, and other relatives.
- All occupants, except 12-year-old Musah, sustained injuries during the attack.
- The attackers were armed with bolos, spears, and firearms.
- They looted the house, stealing jewelry worth P285 and two cows valued at P200, then set the house on fire.
- The remains of the deceased, Moro Asani and Mora Basan, were found in the ruins.
- Asaali Asani reported the crime to Lt. Paraji Usman three days later, identifying the appellants.
- A formal complaint could not be filed immediately due to the absence of a justice of the peace.
- The defense claimed the appellants were aiding the victims, but this was contradicted by survivor testimonies.
- The trial court sentenced the appellants to reclusion perpetua and ordered indemnities to the victims' heirs.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the Court of First Instance of Sulu's decision, upholding the appellants' convictions.
- The evidence presented was deemed sufficient to support the convictions.
- Although the death penalty was considered, it was not imposed due to insufficient votes....(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court generally does not interfere with the trial court's assessment of witness credibility unless significant facts are overlooked.
- The testimonies of surviving victims were found credible, especially Asaali Asani's prompt identification of the appellants.
- The defense's challen...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-1513)
Facts:
In the case of People vs. Akai, decided on June 24, 1949, the appellants, namely Akai, Anol, and Hadjirol, were convicted by the Court of First Instance of Sulu for multiple crimes, including robbery with double homicide, physical injuries, and arson. The incident in question took place on May 12, 1946, at approximately 9 PM in Sipanding, Siasi District, Province of Sulu. During this event, the appellants, together with six unidentified accomplices, launched an armed attack on the residence of Asaali Asani, targeting his family members, which included his wife Mora Basan, their daughter Musah, and other relatives. The assault resulted in injuries to all occupants except for the 12-year-old Musah. The attackers, who were armed with bolos, spears, and firearms, proceeded to loot the house, stealing jewelry valued at P285 and two cows worth P200, before setting the structure ablaze. The remains of the deceased, Moro Asani and Mora Basan, were later discovered among the ruins. Three days after the incident, Asaali Asani reported the crime to Lt. Paraji Usman, identifying the appellants as the assailants. Due to the absence of a justice of the peace in Siasi, a formal complaint could not be filed immediately. The defense argued that the appellants were attempting to aid the victims during the attack; however, this claim was contradicted by testimonies from surviving victims, who stated that no assistance was rendered until th...