Case Digest (G.R. No. 125311)
Facts:
- Appellant Quirino Cañete and Onyot Mahinay were charged with murder for the killing of Manolo Mission.
- Trial proceeded only against appellant Cañete as his co-accused remained at large.
- Appellant pleaded not guilty and claimed denial as his defense.
- Three witnesses testified that they saw appellant and his co-accused stab the victim.
- Witnesses stated that appellant's co-accused stabbed the victim first, and when the victim tried to retaliate, appellant stabbed him on the right side of his body and chest.
- The trial court gave weight to the testimonies of the prosecution witnesses and convicted appellant of murder.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- Appellant Cañete is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of murder.
- The Supreme Court aff...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The trial court is in the best position to evaluate the credibility of witnesses and assign value to their testimonies.
- Inconsistencies in the testimonies of witnesses, even if true, on minor details do not necessarily undermine the overall veracity of their testimonies.
- The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were found to be credible and consistent with the physical evidence.
- Treachery was established as the victim wa...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 125311)
Facts:
The case involves the murder of Manolo Mission, for which appellant Quirino Cañete was found guilty. An information charging Cañete and Onyot Mahinay with the crime of murder was filed before the Regional Trial Court of Negros Oriental. However, the trial proceeded only against Cañete since Mahinay remained at large. Cañete pleaded not guilty and claimed that he had no involvement in the crime. The prosecution presented three witnesses who testified that they saw Cañete and Mahinay stab the victim. According to the witnesses, Mahinay stabbed the victim first, and when the victim tried to go after him, Cañete stabbed the already injured victim. The trial court gave credence to the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and convicted Cañete of murder, considering the aggravating circumstances of evident premeditation and treachery.
Issue:
The main issues raised in the case are as follows:
- Whether there was conspiracy between Cañete and Mahinay in the commission of the crime.
- Whether Cañete is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of murder.
- Whether the trial court correctly ordered Cañete to indemnify the heirs of the victim in the amount of P50,000.00.
Ruling:
The ruling of the Supreme Court is as follows:
The Court held that conspiracy need not be established by direct evidence, but may be inferred from the conduct of the accused. In this case, the concerted action of Cañete and Mahinay showed the presence of conspiracy. Cañete's own overt act of stabbing the victim also made him l...