Case Digest (G.R. No. 218425)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Wilson Cacho y Songco, G.R. No. 218425, September 27, 2017, the Supreme Court First Division, Tijam, J., writing for the Court.The People (plaintiff-appellee) prosecuted Wilson Cacho y Songco (accused-appellant) in two Informations: Criminal Case No. 7522 for Murder (alleging beheading of Mario Balbao y Adami on or about January 1, 2004, with alleged qualifying circumstances of treachery, evident premeditation and nighttime) and Criminal Case No. 7523 for Destructive Arson (alleging burning of Balbao’s house to conceal the murder). Upon arraignment, the accused pleaded not guilty and trial ensued.
Police and Bureau of Fire Protection personnel responded to a reported fire at Sitio Catmon, Brgy. San Rafael, Rodriguez, Rizal on January 2, 2004; they discovered a burned house and a burned, headless body. The informant Willy (Willy Cacho) identified the accused as the killer. At appellant’s residence officers found a shallow pit with ash and a human skull; they encountered the accused, who behaved strangely and, according to witnesses, admitted to killing the victim and burning the house. He was subjected to inquest procedures and was confined at the National Center for Mental Health (NCMH).
Because the accused raised the defense of insanity, the Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 76, San Mateo, Rizal, tried the issue of insanity. The RTC, in a Decision dated October 8, 2012 (Judge Josephine Zarate-Fernandez), found the accused guilty of Murder (Crim. Case No. 7522) and Destructive Arson (Crim. Case No. 7523) and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua for both offenses, awarding damages in Crim. Case No. 7522. The Court of App...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Did the accused-appellant sufficiently prove his defense of insanity at the time of the commission of the offenses?
- Were the crimes of Murder and Destructive Arson proven as charged, including the alleged qualifying circumstances elevating ho...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
- (Pro-only)
Ratio:
- (Pro-only)
Doctrine:
- (Pro-only)