Case Digest (Adm. Matter No. 384) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
In The People of the Philippines vs. Nicolas Jaurigue and Avelina Jaurigue, decided on February 21, 1946 under G.R. No. L-384, the Court reviewed the conviction of Avelina Jaurigue for homicide by the Court of First Instance of Tayabas. Nicolas was acquitted but Avelina was sentenced to an indeterminate penalty of seven years, four months and one day of prisión mayor to thirteen years, nine months and eleven days of reclusión temporal, to indemnify P2,000 to the heirs of the deceased, Amado Capina, and to pay half the costs, with credit for preventive detention. The evidence showed that beginning in August 1942, Capina persistently courted Avelina, snatched her handkerchief, kissed and groped her against her will. She armed herself with a folding knife for protection. On September 20, 1942, during evening services at the Seventh-Day Adventist chapel in San Pablo, Laguna, Capina sat beside her and laid his hand on her thigh. In response, Avelina drew her knife and stabbed him mor Case Digest (Adm. Matter No. 384) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Procedural history
- Nicolas and Avelina Jaurigue were charged with murder in the CFI of Tayabas; Nicolas was acquitted, Avelina convicted of homicide.
- The trial court imposed an indeterminate penalty of 7 years, 4 months, 1 day prision mayor to 13 years, 9 months, 11 days reclusión temporal; ordered P2,000 indemnity to heirs; half of costs; half credit for preventive imprisonment.
- Prior events leading to the fatal encounter
- Amado Capina’s unwanted courtship: snatching of Avelina’s handkerchief; unwanted embrace, kiss, and touching of her person; Avelina slapped, punched, and kicked him; thereafter she carried a fan knife.
- Midnight intrusion (Sept. 15, 1942): Capina climbed into her bedroom and groped her; she screamed, parents and barrio lieutenant were summoned, Capina’s parents apologized.
- The chapel incident (Sept. 20, 1942)
- Avelina and her father attended evening service at the Seventh-Day Adventist chapel; the chapel was well-lit and crowded.
- Capina sat beside Avelina, placed his hand on her thigh; she drew her fan knife and stabbed him once at the base of the left side of his neck, inflicting a mortal wound; he died minutes later.
- Surrender and post-event steps
- Immediately after the stabbing, Avelina surrendered to barrio lieutenant Lozada, placed herself at his disposal, and returned home under his advice.
- At home she handed over the knife to arriving police, gave a written statement detailing the chapel events and prior misconduct by Capina, and accompanied officers to headquarters.
Issues:
- Whether Avelina’s act constituted legitimate defense of her honor, absolving her criminal liability.
- Whether mitigating circumstances exist in her favor (lack of intent to kill, voluntary surrender, provocation).
- Whether the location—a place of worship—constituted an aggravating circumstance.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)