Case Summary (G.R. No. 128789)
Key Dates
The trial court rendered its judgment on December 10, 1996, convicting Renato Caparanga Jose of statutory rape. He subsequently appealed the decision to the higher court.
Applicable Law
The charge against the accused-appellant falls under Article 335 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, which governs the crime of rape and prescribes the imposition of the death penalty for the crime when certain conditions are met, including if the victim is under twelve years of age.
Summary of Facts
The events leading to the trial began on February 6, 1995, when Aimzyl Tria was left home alone while watching television. It was at this time that the accused-appellant coerced her into moving to the master bedroom, where he sexually assaulted her. The assault involved both digital penetration and vaginal penetration with his penis, after which the victim displayed signs of trauma and infection, confirmed by medical examinations. Medical reports revealed the victim was positive for gonorrhea and had sperm present in her vaginal smear, evidencing the assault.
Trial Proceedings
Following the abuse, Aimzyl's mother observed unusual symptoms, including mucus on her daughter's underwear, leading to a conversation in which Aimzyl revealed the details of the assault. Medical examinations at Dr. Priscilla Buenavista's clinic corroborated the abuse with physical findings indicative of sexual molestation.
Verdict of the Trial Court
The trial court found the evidence sufficient to convict Renato Caparanga Jose, citing the direct testimony of the victim and medical evidence. On December 10, 1996, Judge Amelita G. Tolentino sentenced him to death and ordered him to pay moral damages to the victim.
Appeal Arguments
The accused-appellant appealed the verdict, arguing that the prosecution failed to prove his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, positing that the victim might have been mistaken in identifying him as her assailant. His argument relied on the child’s young age and her statement about a 'Kuya Nat,' whom she claimed to know.
Appellate Court's Analysis
The appellate court reaffirmed the trial court's conviction, underscoring the child's credibility as a witness. It established that the trial court’s assessment of witness credibility was supported by the record, dismissing the accused's claims of mistaken identity as speculative and unsubstantiat
...continue readingCase Syllabus (G.R. No. 128789)
Overview of the Case
- The case involves the appeal of Renato Caparanga Jose against a conviction for statutory rape rendered by the Regional Trial Court of Parañaque, Metro Manila, on December 10, 1996.
- The accused was sentenced to death for the crime of statutory rape against a five-year-old girl, Aimzyl Tria, who is the daughter of Agapita Tria.
- The conviction was based on compelling evidence, including medical findings and the testimony of the victim.
Facts of the Case
- The incident occurred on February 6, 1995, when Aimzyl Tria was left alone at home watching television.
- The accused entered the home, forced the victim into the master bedroom, and sexually assaulted her by undressing her and inserting his fingers and tongue into her private parts, followed by penile penetration.
- The victim experienced extreme pain and did not shout due to fear and intimidation from the accused.
- A subsequent incident of rape occurred while the victim was taking a bath, where the accused again assaulted her.
- The victim's mother noticed unusual mucus on her daughter's underwear over several days and eventually coaxed Aimzyl to disclose the abuse.
Evidence Presented
- Medical examinations revealed that the victim had a sexually transmitted disease, specifically gonorrhea, confirmed by the presence of gram-negative diplococci and sperm cells in vaginal smear specimens.
- The