Case Digest (G.R. No. L-17773)
Facts:
- Case: People of the Philippines vs. Emeterio Orzame, et al., G.R. No. L-17773
- Date of Decision: May 19, 1966
- Defendants: Emeterio Orzame, Dominador Magno, and Arturo Gallarde
- Charge: Murder of Juan Dulay
- Incident Date: February 17, 1958
- Context: Magno and Gallarde conspired to kill Dulay, who had a life insurance policy worth P3,000 with Orzame as the beneficiary.
- Execution of Plan: On February 23, 1958, during a town fiesta, they lured Dulay to a secluded area.
- Method: Orzame used a Thompson submachine gun to shoot Dulay multiple times, leading to his immediate death.
- Aftermath: Dulay's body was mutilated and placed on railroad tracks to simulate an accident.
- Trial Outcome: Magno became a state witness; Gallarde was acquitted; Orzame was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death, ordered to indemnify Dulay's family, and pay costs.
- Appeal: Orzame challenged the conviction, asserting an alibi and questioning witness credibility.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's decision, finding Emeterio Orzame guilty of murder beyond reasonable doubt.
- The court upheld the death sen...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court found the evidence, particularly Dominador Magno's testimony, credible and supported by physical evidence.
- The trial court was deemed better positioned to assess witness credibility based on their demeanor.
- Orzame's alibi was weak and...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-17773)
Facts:
In the case of People of the Philippines vs. Emeterio Orzame, et al., G.R. No. L-17773, decided on May 19, 1966, Emeterio Orzame, Dominador Magno, and Arturo Gallarde were charged with the murder of Juan Dulay in the Court of First Instance of Nueva Ecija. The incident occurred on the evening of February 17, 1958, when Magno and Gallarde, who were related to Orzame, conspired to kill Dulay, who had a life insurance policy worth P3,000 with Orzame as the sole beneficiary. They planned to execute their scheme during the town fiesta on February 23, 1958. On that date, they met at a bowling place in Guimba, Nueva Ecija, where they encountered Dulay. They lured him to a secluded area, where Orzame, under the pretense of resting, pulled out a Thompson submachine gun and struck Dulay multiple times, resulting in his immediate death. The body was then further mutilated and placed on the railroad tracks to simulate an accident. The following day, Dulay's body was discovered, leading to the investigation and subsequent trial. During the trial, Magno was discharged and became a state witness, while Gallarde was acquitted due to insufficient evidence. Orzame was found guilty of murder, with the court noting the aggravating circumstances o...