Facts:

Noel Leonardo, together with his brothers Jomie Leonardo and Ronald Leonardo, were charged with murder for the fatal stabbing of Renato Bonsol on July 14, 1996. Only Noel stood trial as Jomie and Ronald were at large. The prosecution presented witnesses who testified that they saw the three accused assault and stab Renato. However, the defense presented witnesses who testified that the altercation started when Abner Diaz, the son of one of the witnesses, provoked Noel and Jomie, leading to a physical altercation between Abner and the Leonardo brothers.

Issue:

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Ruling:

The Supreme Court acquitted accused-appellant Noel Leonardo. The Court found that the prosecution failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt his culpability in the crime. The testimonies of the prosecution witnesses were not sufficient to establish his identity as the one who stabbed Renato. The Court also noted that the testimony of one of the prosecution witnesses, Andres Diaz, was...(Unlock)

Ratio:

The Court emphasized that the prosecution has the obligation to prove beyond reasonable doubt the identity of the perpetrator and...continue reading