Case Digest (G.R. No. 43816)
Facts:
The case involves the defendants-appellants Eulogio Espenilla et al., who were tried in the Court of First Instance of Leyte for the murder of Simplicio Tomandao. The incident occurred on March 21, 1935, in the barrio of Tagkip, Burauen. Earlier that day, a fight broke out between Eusebio Bueno and Romualdo Idara during a gambling game. Simplicio Tomandao intervened and tried to settle the dispute. However, Bueno resented Tomandao's intervention and threatened to fight him later. Later that day, Felix Sosing, accompanied by the six co-accused, went to Felix Cuizon's house and asked Cuizon to send Tomandao outside. Tomandao, who was eating with Cuizon, ran away when Sosing pointed a gun at him. However, he was caught and attacked by Espenilla, Sosing, and the other defendants. Tomandao sustained multiple wounds and died almost immediately.
Issue:
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Ruling:
The Court reversed the decision of the lower court and acquitted the appellants Felix Sosing, Eusebio Bueno, Balbino Tomas, Cesareo Tomas, Antonio Sosing, and Pedro Arrosado. They were found not guilty of the crime. However, the appellant Eulogio Espenilla was found guilty of homicide and sentenced to an indeterminate sentence of two years of pri...(Unlock)
Ratio:
The burden of proof was on Eulogio Espenilla to prove that he acted in self-defense. However, his testimony did not con...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 43816)
Facts:
In the case of People v. Espenilla, the defendants-appellants were charged with the murder of Simplicio Tomandao. The trial court found the seven appellants guilty of homicide and sentenced them to prison terms ranging from eight years and one day to fourteen years, eight months, and one day, as well as ordering them to pay indemnity to the heirs of the deceased. The appellants appealed the decision, arguing that the evidence was insufficient to support their conviction.
The prosecution presented witnesses who testified that a fight broke out between Eusebio Bueno and Romualdo Idara during a gambling game. Simplicio Tomandao intervened to try and stop the fight, but Bueno resented his intervention. Later, Felix Sosing, accompanied by the other appellants, went to the house of Felix Cuizon armed with weapons. When Tomandao tried to escape, he was attacked by the appellants and ultimately killed.
The defense, on the other hand, presented a different version of events. Sosing claimed that he went to Cuizon's house to investigate reports of illegal cockfighting, as he was an agent of the government. Tomandao, who was armed with a bolo, confronted Sosing an...