Case Digest (G.R. No. 207950) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In People of the Philippines vs. Mark Jason Chavez y Bitancor alias Noya (G.R. No. 207950, September 22, 2014), the respondent, Mark Jason Chavez, was charged by an Information dated November 8, 2006 with the special complex crime of Robbery with Homicide under Article 294 of the Revised Penal Code. The Information alleged that on or about October 28, 2006, at 1325 G. Tuazon Street, Sampaloc, Manila, Chavez stabbed his client, Elmer Duque y Oros (Barbie), repeatedly with a kitchen knife, causing mortal wounds and then took personal belongings consisting of two cellular phones, six rings, two necklaces, one bracelet, and money. During arraignment on December 4, 2006, Chavez pleaded not guilty. At trial, the prosecution presented five witnesses—including an eyewitness who saw Chavez leaving Barbie’s parlor at around 2:45 a.m.—and experts from the Scene of the Crime Operations (SOCO) and medico-legal services. Chavez testified in his own defense, claiming he merely visited Barbie t Case Digest (G.R. No. 207950) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Charge and arraignment
- On November 8, 2006, Mark Jason Chavez y Bitancor was charged with robbery with homicide for allegedly stabbing Elmer Duque y Oros (“Barbie”) multiple times at 1325 G. Tuazon Street, Manila, killing him and taking personal belongings (two cellphones, jewelry, money).
- At his arraignment on December 4, 2006, Chavez pleaded not guilty; trial ensued before RTC Branch 41, Manila.
- Crime‐scene observations and evidence collection
- October 28, 2006, ~2:45 a.m.: Angelo Peñamante, arriving from work, saw a man in black (later identified as Chavez) leaving Barbie’s parlor holding an unknown object, dropped it, and walked away.
- ~10:00 a.m.: SOCO team led by PCI Sonia Cayrel processed the scene, noted disarray, photographed the body, recovered 155 hair strands from the victim’s hand, and took fingerprints.
- ~1:00 p.m.: Dr. Romeo Salen’s autopsy revealed 22 wounds (21 stab wounds, 1 incised), four fatal; estimated time of death ~1:00 a.m.
- Investigation, identification, and trial testimony
- November 5, 2006: Chavez (22 years old) voluntarily surrendered with his mother; she gave a written statement, surrendered two cellphones of Barbie and a baseball cap.
- November 6, 2006: Peñamante identified Chavez in a police line‐up; no challenge to the identification procedure was raised.
- Trial evidence: prosecution witnesses (Peñamante, PCI Cayrel, SPO3 Casimiro, Dr. Salen, Raymund Senofa); defense witness: Chavez (claimed he visited Barbie at ~1:00 a.m. to reconcile a misunderstanding).
- August 19, 2011: RTC convicted Chavez of robbery with homicide; sentenced to reclusion perpetua without parole and ordered to pay P150,000 in damages.
- February 27, 2013: CA affirmed the conviction. Chavez appealed to the Supreme Court.
Issues:
- Whether the evidence established beyond reasonable doubt that Chavez committed the special complex crime of robbery with homicide.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)