Case Digest (G.R. No. 241952)
Facts:
People of the Philippines v. Joebert Taroma Zapata, G.R. No. 241952, March 17, 2021, Supreme Court Third Division, Inting, J., writing for the Court.The accused-appellant, Joebert Taroma Zapata, was charged with two counts of Murder in Criminal Case Nos. Q-09-157338 and Q-09-157339 for the killings on August 14, 2008 in Quezon City of Randy M. Nuevo and Almar A. Ranien, respectively. Each Information alleged intent to kill qualified by treachery, evident premeditation, and abuse of superior strength; accused pleaded not guilty.
The prosecution presented Teody Tambua (Tambua), the widows Emily Ranien and Reggie Nuevo, and Dr. Filemon Porciuncula. Tambua testified that on the evening of August 14, 2008 Nuevo and Ranien were drinking at his house; after a remark about accused’s ID, accused left but soon returned carrying a bolo hidden behind his back, then rushed in and hacked Ranien and Nuevo. Tambua fled and later helped bring the victims’ bodies to hospital; autopsy reports showed fatal hacked and stab wounds.
Accused testified that he went out to buy cigarettes, was invited into Tambua’s house, was punched by one of the men, struggled and wrested a bolo from an assailant, and hacked the two in self-defense; he also claimed poor recollection due to dimmed vision. He presented himself as his sole defense witness.
Branch 222, Regional Trial Court (Quezon City) rendered a Decision dated October 1, 2014 finding accused guilty beyond reasonable doubt of two counts of Murder, rejecting self-defense, holding that evident premeditation was not proved but that treachery attended the attacks, and sentencing him to reclusion perpetua with specific awards of civil indemnity, moral, exemplary and temperate damages. Zapata filed a Notice of Appeal.
The Court of Appeals affirmed the RTC in its Decision dated October 25, 2017 (CA-G.R. CR-HC No. 07125), reiterat...(Pro-only)
Issues:
- Has the guilt of accused-appellant Joebert Taroma Zapata been proven beyond reasonable doubt? ...(Pro-only)
Ruling:
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Ratio:
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Doctrine:
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