Case Digest (G.R. No. 4094)
Facts:
United States v. Matanug, G.R. No. 4094. September 03, 1908, the Supreme Court, Mapa, J., writing for the Court. The accused, Moro Matanug, Sultan of Dimabarria (defendant), was convicted by the court below for the killing of Private James W. McDonald and was sentenced to death, to pay P1,000 indemnity to the heirs of the deceased, and costs. The case was submitted to the Supreme Court en consulta.The trial record shows that the accused and two companions, Mamaku and Macabangan, entered into a prior agreement to go to the military post of Parang, Cotabato, armed respectively with a campilan, a cris, and a lance, intending to steal rifles and kill soldiers if necessary. On the night of 22–23 January 1906 they approached the post, concealed themselves until late hours, and then entered the camp. They searched houses for rifles, and then forced entry into a field tent occupied by five sick soldiers by cutting the ropes securing it. Two soldiers, Harry Wickham and James W. McDonald, were attacked while asleep; Wickham was slightly wounded, McDonald received two wounds (one mortal) and died three days later.
The accused admitted traveling with the companions to the vicinity, but claimed he remained overnight in the sitio of Pangui (about 900 yards from the post) and did not participate in the attack; he asserted he later fled with the others upon learning of the killing. The prosecution produced testimony (notably private Walker) that three Moros were seen running from the tent after the assault, and that the accused’s effects had been left under a coconut tree roughly 70 yards from the tent — inconsistent with his claimed presence at Pangui. Mamaku also testified that the accused participated.
The trial court found the accused guilty of murder with aggravating circumstances (treachery, deliberate premeditation, and for...(Subscriber-Only)
Issues:
- Did the evidence sufficiently prove the accused’s participation and guilt of the murder charged?
- Were the aggravating circumstances of treachery, deliberate premeditation, and forcible entry present so as to elevate the crime to murder and justify imposition of the maximum penalty?
- Is the accused criminally liable for the death of McDonald even if he did not perso...(Subscriber-Only)
Ruling:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Ratio:
- (Subscriber-Only)
Doctrine:
- (Subscriber-Only)