Case Digest (G.R. No. L-17401)
Facts:
- On June 1, 1959, Francisco Dador and his wife, Julita Arboso, traveled to barrio Tinambacan, Jaro, Leyte, for a fiesta.
- They left their home in barrio Catubuan between 3 and 4 PM and arrived in Tinambacan before nightfall, staying with Julita's sister, Segundina Arboso.
- During supper with twelve guests, a gunshot was heard, and Francisco fell, exclaiming "Aray!"
- Julita, who was feeding their infant, recognized that her husband had been shot.
- As she sought help, she encountered the accused, Santiago Raquel, who threatened her, saying, "Your husband will not live again."
- Francisco later confirmed to Julita that he believed Raquel intended to kill him due to potential testimony against Raquel in a prior case.
- Francisco was taken to Leyte Provincial Hospital, underwent surgery, but died from his injuries on July 3, 1959.
- Raquel was charged with murder in the Court of First Instance of Leyte.
- Raquel presented an alibi, claiming he was cutting grass in another barrio during the shooting.
- The trial court found the evidence against Raquel compelling, convicted him of murder, and sentenced him to reclusion perpetua, ordering him to indemnify Francisco's heirs.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The court ruled that the trial court did not err in relying on Julita Arboso's testimony and Francisco Dador's statements regarding the motive.
- The defense of alibi was not sufficiently established and was correctly rejected by the trial court.
- The court affirmed t...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court upheld the trial court's reliance on Julita Arboso's testimony, highlighting her credible actions in seeking help during a crisis.
- The court dismissed the argument that her behavior was unnatural, recognizing that reactions to trauma vary among individuals.
- Julita...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. L-17401)
Facts:
On June 1, 1959, Francisco Dador and his wife, Julita Arboso, traveled to barrio Tinambacan, Jaro, Leyte, to attend a fiesta scheduled for the following day. They departed from their home in barrio Catubuan between three and four in the afternoon and arrived in Tinambacan before nightfall, staying at the residence of Julita's sister, Segundina Arboso. That evening, while having supper with twelve other guests, a gunshot was heard, and Francisco Dador fell from his seat, exclaiming "Aray!" Julita, who was nearby feeding their infant, immediately recognized that her husband had been shot. As she rushed to seek help from the police, she encountered the accused, Santiago Raquel, who was aiming a gun at her and ominously stated, "Your husband will not live again." Francisco Dador later confirmed to Julita that he was aware of Raquel's intent to kill him due to his potential testimony against Raquel in a previous case. After the incident, police arrived, took statements from both Francisco and Julita, and searched for Raquel, who had fled. Francisco was transported to the Leyte Provincial Hospital, where he was treated for a gunshot wound. Despite surgery to remove the bullet, he succumbed to his injuries on July 3, 1959. Raquel was subsequently charged with murder in the Court of First Instance of Leyte. During the trial, Raquel presented an alibi, claiming he was cutting grass in a different barrio at the time of the shooting...