Case Digest (G.R. No. 51686)
Facts:
- On January 19, 1978, at around 9:00 PM, the Dagupan Police Force responded to a report at Natalia Claveria's store.
- They found Rodolfo Meneses dead, having suffered a fatal stab wound in the abdomen, leading to acute hemorrhage.
- Gregorio Pastoral was charged with murder and convicted by the Circuit Criminal Court of Dagupan City on June 15, 1979.
- Pastoral received a sentence of reclusion perpetua and was ordered to pay P12,000 to Meneses' heirs.
- Witness Bonifacio Lagman testified that Pastoral approached Meneses and his companions, warning them not to interfere before attacking Meneses with a concealed knife.
- Meneses attempted to defend himself but was ultimately stabbed.
- The defense claimed Meneses was the initial aggressor and that the stabbing was accidental, supported by Alfredo Bengson's testimony, which the trial court found unconvincing.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The trial court did not err in convicting Pastoral of murder without considering mitigating circumstances.
- The evidence was insufficient to establish treachery or evident premeditation.
- The convi...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's conviction, affirming the credibility of the prosecution's evidence, particularly Lagman's testimony.
- The relationship between the witness and the victim did not diminish the witness's credibility.
- The defense's claim that Meneses was the initial aggressor was rejected due to a lack of credible evidence.
- The prosecution failed to prove treachery and evident premeditation b...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 51686)
Facts:
On January 19, 1978, at approximately 9:00 PM, the Dagupan Police Force responded to a verbal report and arrived at the store of Natalia Claveria, where they discovered the lifeless body of Rodolfo Meneses. The victim had suffered a fatal stab wound in the abdomen, measuring 5-1/2 by 1-1/4 inches, which resulted in acute hemorrhage. The accused, Gregorio Pastoral, was subsequently charged with murder and convicted by the Circuit Criminal Court of Dagupan City on June 15, 1979. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay the heirs of Meneses P12,000.
The prosecution's narrative indicated that Meneses was seated at the counter of Claveria's store with three companions when Pastoral approached them. After warning the companions not to interfere, Pastoral lunged at Meneses with a concealed knife. Although Meneses attempted to defend himself with a nearby bench, he was ultimately stabbed in the stomach. The trial court found the testimony of Bonifacio Lagman, one of the witnesses, credible despite the defense's claims of inconsistencies and bias. The defense argued that Meneses was the initial aggressor and that the stabbing was accidental, supported by the testimony of Alfredo Bengson, who claimed to have seen the incident from a distance. However, the trial court dismissed this defense, citing a lack of credible corroboration.
Issue:
- Did the trial court err in convicting Gregori...