Case Digest (G.R. No. 111805)
Facts:
- On December 3, 1990, Rodrigo Rogero y Lacandaso was fatally stabbed by two assailants in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
- Accused-appellants Roberto Cajambab y de Rutas and Arnulfo Bandal y Puaso were charged with murder on December 10, 1990.
- The information alleged conspiracy to kill Rogero with treachery and evident premeditation.
- Both accused pleaded not guilty during their arraignment on April 1, 1991.
- The Regional Trial Court of Manila convicted the accused on August 26, 1993, sentencing them to reclusion perpetua and ordering P50,000 in compensatory damages.
- The accused appealed, arguing that the trial court erred in crediting prosecution witnesses and disregarding defense testimonies.
- Prosecution witnesses included Danilo Bitonio, Teresita Sunga, and Dr. Alberto Reyes; defense witnesses included the accused, Estrella Opina, and Mercedita Naval.
- The trial court found Bitonio's testimony credible, while defense witnesses showed inconsistencies.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court's conviction of the accused-appellants for murder but modified the penalty.
- The court found no error in the trial court's assessment of witness credibility.
- The prosecution proved the accused's guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
- The sentence was modified to ten years and one day of prisi...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized that the trial court's findings on witness credibility should be respected by appellate courts.
- Testimonies from prosecution witn...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 111805)
Facts:
On December 3, 1990, Rodrigo Rogero y Lacandaso was fatally stabbed by two assailants while seated on a bench at Quintana Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila. The accused-appellants, Roberto Cajambab y de Rutas and Arnulfo Bandal y Puaso, were charged with murder in an information filed on December 10, 1990. The information alleged that the accused conspired to kill Rogero with treachery and evident premeditation, resulting in mortal stab wounds that caused his death. During their arraignment on April 1, 1991, both accused pleaded not guilty. The Regional Trial Court of Manila, Branch 5, rendered a decision on August 26, 1993, convicting the accused of murder and sentencing them to reclusion perpetua, along with a compensatory damage of P50,000. The accused-appellants appealed the decision, claiming that the trial court erred in giving credence to the prosecution's witnesses, disregarding the defense's testimonies, and failing to prove their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The prosecution presented eyewitness Danilo Bitonio, Teresita Sunga, and Dr. Alberto Reyes, while the defense called the two accused, Estrella Opina, and Mercedita Naval as witnesses. The trial court found Bitonio's testimony credible, establishing that the accused were present at the scene and committed the stabbing. The defense witnesses, particularly Opina, contrad...