Title
People vs. Villa, Jr.
Case
G.R. No. 129899
Decision Date
Apr 27, 2000
Rodolfo Villa Jr., a CAFGU member, killed four neighbors, claiming self-defense and insanity. Psychiatric evaluations showed schizophrenia but failed to prove insanity during the crime. Convicted of murder, his plea of guilty mitigated penalties.

Case Summary (G.R. No. 129899)

Factual Background

On June 22, 1991, the accused, a member of the Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Unit (CAFGU), fatally shot Dionito Fernandez while the latter was cutting grass in his yard. Following this act, Villa also shot and killed Ronald Fernandez and injured Sheila Fernandez, who attempted to assist their father. Another neighbor, Samuel Eclevia, was also shot while trying to subdue Villa. After the incident, Villa surrendered to Captain Dolino of the Olongapo Metropolitan District Command.

Trial Proceedings and Initial Plea

Villa was arraigned on October 3, 1991, and initially pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, his counsel later indicated the desire to change the plea to guilty, asserting self-defense against Dionito Fernandez, alleging that the latter had threatened him with a bolo knife. The trial court proceeded to accept this change after confirming that the accused comprehended the implications of such a plea.

Mental Health Evaluation

In July 1992, the court appointed Atty. Romeo Alinea as counsel for the defendant after his previous counsel became unavailable. Subsequently, Alinea sought a psychiatric evaluation to assess Villa’s mental fitness. The evaluation confirmed Villa’s diagnosis of schizophrenia and recommended his confinement at the National Center for Mental Health for treatment. While initial evaluations suggested he was incompetent to stand trial, a follow-up report six months later indicated significant improvement.

Defense of Insanity

The defense rested on the claim of insanity, leveraging psychiatric evaluations to assert that Villa's mental condition impaired his ability to understand the nature of his actions during the commission of the murders. The trial court, however, ultimately rejected this defense, citing insufficient evidence that Villa lacked reason or judgment at the time of the offenses. Elements pointing to his sanity included his immediate surrender, feelings of remorse, and a coherent account of the incident provided to authorities soon after.

Court’s Analysis and Conclusion

In assessing the evidence, the Court highlighted that a defendant must prove insanity as an exempting circumstance from criminal liability. The Court noted that mere mental abnormalities are insufficient for such a defense, which must demonstrate a complete absence of reason. The psychiatric evaluations presented were deemed incomplete, as they largely relied on Villa's own accounts without corroboration from family or acquaintances who could testify to his mental state prior to or during the crimes.

Sentencing and Final Judgment

The trial court initially imposed the maximum p

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