Case Digest (G.R. No. 142380) Core Legal Reasoning Model
Core Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
On December 6, 1998 in Urdaneta City, Pangasinan, SPO1 Danilo Lobitania, a member of the Navotas Police District, conspired with three armed companions to flag down and seize a Yamaha tricycle driven by Alexander de Guzman. After ordering the driver to turn into an alley, one accomplice shot de Guzman in the chest, another bound and pushed him out of the moving vehicle, and the group carried off the tricycle toward Manila. Prosecution witness Jolito Sanchez—who had accompanied the group at Lobitania’s invitation—testified to seeing the killing and testified despite threats from the accused and his cohorts. Lobitania denied participation and offered an alibi supported only by his wife and a police colleague who claimed he reported for duty in Navotas later that morning. The Regional Trial Court of Urdaneta City, Branch 48, found Lobitania guilty beyond reasonable doubt of aggravated carnapping with murder under R.A. No. 6539, as amended by R.A. No. 7659, sentenced him to death, a Case Digest (G.R. No. 142380) Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Expanded Legal Reasoning Model
Facts:
- Parties and Background
- Accused-Appellant: SPO1 Danilo Lobitania, member of Navotas PNP-NPD Command, charged with aggravated carnapping with murder.
- Victim/Owner: Alexander de Guzman, driver of a Yamaha tricycle (Plate No. 2N-7910) owned by David Sarto.
- Commission of the Crime
- December 5–6, 1998: Lobitania recruited Jolito Sanchez and four companions for a job in Pangasinan; they boarded a bus to Urdaneta City.
- Upon arrival, they flagged down de Guzman’s tricycle in Barangay Nancayasen. Montolo shot the driver in the chest; Sidro bound de Guzman’s hands and shoved him out, causing instantaneous death; the group then took the tricycle.
- Post-Crime Developments
- Sanchez and Jr. Saburin were threatened at gunpoint to accompany the group, then abandoned in a sugarcane plantation; they escaped around 3 a.m., returned to Manila, and reported to PAOCTF.
- Barangay authorities in San Manuel, Tarlac, recovered the sidecar and motorcycle; owner David Sarto identified them; autopsy confirmed death by hypovolemic shock due to gunshot.
- Trial and Defense
- Prosecution Witness: Jolito Sanchez testified as an eyewitness; his credibility was challenged by Lobitania as biased (alleged Tirtir Gang affiliation).
- Defense of Denial and Alibi: SPO1 Michael Legaspi testified Lobitania was on duty in Manila; wife Valeriana Lobitania corroborated his presence at home from 10 p.m. onward on December 5.
Issues:
- Whether the prosecution proved beyond reasonable doubt that SPO1 Lobitania is guilty of aggravated carnapping with murder.
- Whether the award of civil indemnity, moral and exemplary damages was proper.
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)