Case Digest (G.R. No. 107495)
Facts:
- The case involves People of the Philippines vs. Jose Villanueva y Andes, G.R. No. 107495, decided on July 31, 1995.
- Jose Villanueva y Andes and his brother-in-law, Carlo Uycoque, were charged with murder on May 6, 1991.
- Both accused pleaded "not guilty" during their arraignment on August 2, 1991.
- The incident occurred on May 2, 1991, around 9:30 PM, when the victim, Lucas Flores, was at home with his wife, Francisca.
- Lucas was forcibly taken outside by an assailant with a gun after he opened the door.
- Francisca heard gunshots and found Lucas shot multiple times; he later died from seven gunshot wounds.
- Jose Villanueva surrendered, claiming self-defense, alleging Lucas threatened him with a grenade.
- The trial court convicted Villanueva of murder and acquitted Uycoque due to insufficient evidence.
- Villanueva was sentenced to reclusion perpetua and ordered to pay damages to the victim's heirs.
Issue:
- (Unlock)
Ruling:
- The Supreme Court affirmed the lower court's finding of treachery in the killing of Lucas Flores.
- The Court ruled that the lower court did not err in rejecting the self-defense claim of the accused.
- The Court upheld the finding of the aggravating circumstance of dwelling.
- The Court confirmed the imposition of reclusion perpe...(Unlock)
Ratio:
- The Supreme Court emphasized the trial court's credibility assessments of witnesses, as it is better positioned to evaluate their demeanor.
- Francisca Flores's testimony was credible, as she witnessed the sudden and unexpected attack, qualifying the crime as murder with treachery.
- Physical evidence contradicted Vil...continue reading
Case Digest (G.R. No. 107495)
Facts:
In the case of People of the Philippines vs. Jose Villanueva y Andes, G.R. No. 107495, decided on July 31, 1995, the accused-appellant, Jose Villanueva y Andes, along with his brother-in-law, Carlo Uycoque, was charged with murder in an Information dated May 6, 1991, before the Regional Trial Court of Manila (Branch XLIX). Both accused pleaded "not guilty" upon arraignment on August 2, 1991. The incident occurred on May 2, 1991, around 9:30 PM, when the victim, Lucas Flores, a former Philippine Marine and barangay tanod, was at home with his wife, Francisca Flores, inside the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Compound in Punta, Sta. Ana, Manila.
Lucas opened the door after hearing a knock, only to be forcibly taken outside by an assailant who brandished a gun. Francisca heard multiple gunshots and rushed to find her husband shot multiple times. She identified Jose Villanueva and two other men at the scene. Lucas was later pronounced dead at Trinity General Hospital, having sustained seven gunshot wounds.
Jose Villanueva surrendered to the authorities shortly after the incident, claiming self-defense. He alleged that Lucas had threatened him with a grenade during their confrontation. The trial court found Villanueva guilty of murder, while Carlo Uycoque was acquitted due to insufficient evidence against him. The trial court sentenced Villanueva to reclusion perpetua and ordered him to pay damages to the victim's heirs.
Issue:
- Did the lowe...