G.R. No. 203435 - People vs. Aquino

On 15 August 2001, Mardy Aquino, Mario Aquino, Juanito Aquino and co-accused were charged by two separate informations in RTC Branch 39, Lingayen, Pangasinan: one for murder (Art. 248, RPC) in connection with the fatal stabbing of Jackie Caguioa, and one for frustrated murder (Arts. 248 and 6, RPC) in connection with the stabbing of Ernesto Caguioa.
Upon arraignment, the accused-appellants pleaded not guilty and trial proceeded.

Around 10:30 AM at Barangay Balogo-Pandel, Binmaley, Pangasinan, accused-appellants, armed with knives, conspired and attacked Jackie and his father Ernesto. Jackie sustained fatal wounds and died en route to the hospital; Ernesto suffered four stab wounds (thoraco-abdominal area, thenar of left hand, left thigh, left leg) which did not penetrate vital organs and survived due to timely medical care.

Witnesses for the defense testified that Ernesto and Jackie provoked and stabbed Bonifacio Caguioa and hit members of the Aquino family first. Accused-appellants allegedly acted in defense of Mario Aquino, who suffered injuries, and denied any premeditation or conspiracy.

RTC Decision (23 July 2008): Found Mardy, Mario, and Juanito guilty of murder and frustrated murder; imposed reclusion perpetua for murder and indeterminate prision correccional for frustrated murder; awarded civil and actual damages.
CA Decision (30 March 2012): Affirmed convictions; modified penalty for frustrated murder to 6 years 1 day o prisión mayor to 14 years 8 months 1 day reclusion temporal; increased civil indemnity for murder; reduced actual and moral damages; appeal elevated to the Supreme Court.

Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt the elements of murder and frustrated murder as charged.
Whether qualifying circumstances (abuse of superior strength, evident premeditation) were both alleged in the informations and sufficiently proven.
Proper classification of the offenses and correct application of penalties and damages.