Case Digest (G.R. No. 153119)
Facts:
People of the Philippines, Appellee, vs. Antonio Reyes y Magano, Appellant, G.R. No. 153119, April 13, 2004, the Supreme Court En Banc, Callejo, Sr., J., writing for the Court.The appellant, Antonio Reyes y Magano, was charged by Information with robbery with homicide for events occurring on June 11, 1998 in Lumban, Laguna. The Information alleged that Reyes, while armed with a bolo, took jewelry and a passbook belonging to Aurora Lagrada and that, by reason of or on the occasion of the robbery, he stabbed and caused the instantaneous death of Lagrada. He pleaded not guilty at arraignment.
At about 11:00 p.m. on June 11, 1998, neighbors and barangay officers responded to cries from Dr. Aurora Lagrada’s house and, on entry, found her dead and a bolo near the body. Police, acting on reports, located the appellant in Sta. Cruz and placed him under arrest; during a frisk in the police car the barangay captain allegedly found two watches (including a Rolex), a gold bracelet, a gold ring and a passbook in the appellant’s pockets, which were surrendered to the arresting officer. Police also recovered a green t‑shirt and slippers at the appellant’s home and photographed the seized items and the appellant beside them.
While in custody the appellant executed an extrajudicial confession prepared and notarized by Atty. Wilfredo Paraiso, who testified that he advised the appellant of his constitutional rights and that the appellant voluntarily signed the statement. The appellant later denied that he had agreed to or actually conferred with Paraiso and claimed that a signature atop his typewritten name on page 3 of the confession was a forgery and that he had been forced to sign a blank page.
An autopsy by Dr. Leoncia delos Reyes listed hemorrhagic shock as cause of death and described stab wounds to the victim. The prosecution presented witnesses (including the notary, police, and the victim’s sister Norma Quetulio) and documentary evidence including the confession, autopsy report, police blotter and photographs.
The Regional Trial Court of Sta. Cruz, Laguna (trial court) found Reyes guilty beyond reasonable doubt of robbery with homicide and sentenced him to death, awarding civil indemnity and funeral expenses ...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Was the appellant’s extrajudicial confession admissible despite his allegation that the signature on page 3 was a forgery?
- Were the money and jewelry seized from the appellant the products of an illegal search and therefore inadmissible?
- Did the prosecution prove beyond reasonable doubt the elements of robbery with homicide and was the death penalty properly imposed given the aggravatin...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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