Case Summary (G.R. No. 123939)
Charges and Legal Proceedings
The appellant, Domingo Vasquez, along with his brother Ramon, was charged under two informations: Criminal Case No. 48935(95) for murder and Criminal Case No. 48936(95) for attempted murder. The accusations alleged a conspiracy to kill Espinosa and attempted murder of Luable, with assertions of treachery and evident premeditation.
Prosecution's Case
The prosecution presented multiple witnesses, including Luis Luable, who detailed a series of confrontations involving threats, a chase by the Vasquez brothers, and ultimately the fatal attack on Geronimo Espinosa. Witnesses described the arrival of a blue passenger jeep, driven by Domingo Vasquez, from which he and his cohorts emerged wielding bolos, ultimately leading to Espinosa being attacked and fatally wounded.
Testimonies and Evidence
The testimonies of Luis Luable and Debbie Dorado depicted a chaotic scene where Geronimo, after being pursued and later attacked with bladed weapons, was severely injured. The medical examination corroborated multiple stab wounds consistent with this account. Another witness, Maria Luisa Abellanosa, pointed out the coordinating roles played by the Vasquez brothers in leading the attack, highlighting Domingo's verbal encouragement for lethal action.
Defense and Acquittal of Co-Accused
Domingo Vasquez denied involvement in the killing, claiming he was repairing a jeep at home at the time of the incident. Ramon Vasquez was acquitted by the trial court due to insufficient evidence linking him to the crime, while Domingo was found guilty. The trial court weighed the evidence heavily against Domingo, finding the testimonies of the witnesses credible despite his claims of alibi.
Summary of the Trial Court's Decision
The trial court convicted Domingo Vasquez of murder due to the established conspiracy and his active role in facilitating the execution of the crime alongside his cohorts. He was sentenced to reclusion perpetua for murder and a separate penalty for attempted homicide concerning Luable. The court emphasized the lack of need to establish who delivered the fatal blow since conspiracy sufficed to establish criminal liability.
Appellate Contentions
Domingo’s appeal contended that the prosecution failed to demonstrate motive, consistently identify him as a perpetrator, and properly appreciate the alibi defense he presented. He argued that the inconsistent testimonies of prosecution witnesses warranted reasonable doubt regarding his guilt.
Appellate Court's Findings
The appellate court, while acknowledging the substantial grounds raised by the appellant, ultimately reiterated the lower court's findings on the establishment of conspiracy. The c
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Case Overview
- The case involves the appeal of Domingo Vasquez y Pacheco against a decision by the Regional Trial Court of Kalookan City, which convicted him of murder for the death of Geronimo Espinosa and attempted homicide against Luis Luable.
- The trial court sentenced Domingo Vasquez to reclusion perpetua for murder and imposed an indeterminate penalty for attempted homicide.
Charges and Informations
- Two separate Informations were filed against the accused:
- Criminal Case No. 48935(95) (For Murder): Accused were charged for conspiring to kill Geronimo Espinosa on June 18, 1995.
- Criminal Case No. 48936(95) (For Attempted Murder): Accused were charged for attempting to kill Luis Luable on the same date.
Proceedings and Testimonies
- Both accused entered pleas of not guilty during arraignment.
- Prosecution witnesses included:
- Luis Luable: Described the events leading to the attack, detailing how he and Geronimo were pursued by the accused after a family quarrel escalated.
- Debbie Dorado: Witnessed the attack and described the assailants' actions, including a confrontation with one of the pursuers.
- Maria Luisa Abellanosa: Provided crucial testimony identifying the assailants and the sequence of events as Geronimo was attacked.
Incident Description
- The incident occurr