PHILIPPINE JURISPRUDENCE - FULL TEXT

The Lawphil Project - Arellano Law Fon!ation

"#R# No# $%&'($ April )*+ )((%
THE PE,PLE ,F THE PHILIPPINES -.# /INCHESTER A0UT+ ET
AL#
Rep1lic o2 the Philippine.
SUPREME COURT
3anila
EN BANC
G.R. No. 137601 April 24, 2003
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHLPPNES, appellee+
-.#
!NCHESTER ABUT, RTCHE !ASLO "#$ GREGMAR BALGA, acc.e!+
!NCHESTER ABUT "#$ GREGMAR BALGA, appellant.#
CALLE%O, SR., J.&
0e2ore the Cort 2or ato4atic re-iew i. the !eci.ion
$
o2 the Re5ional Trial Cort+ Ca5a6an !e
,ro Cit6+ 0ranch )7+ in Cri4inal Ca.e No# 8&-$7(*+ 2in!in5 appellant. /inche.ter A1t an!
"re54ar 0ali5a 5ilt6 1e6on! rea.ona1le !o1t o2 3r!er# The trial cort .entence! appellant
/inche.ter A1t to !eath+ an! appellant "re54ar 0ali5a onl6 to an in!eter4inate penalt6
1eca.e o2 the pri-ile5e 4iti5atin5 circ4.tance o2 4inorit6+ the trial cort appreciate! in hi.
2a-or#
The Charge
,n ,cto1er )&+ $88&+ an In2or4ation wa. 2ile! char5in5 /inche.ter A1t+ "re54ar 0ali5a an!
Ritchie /a.lo with 4r!er which rea!.9
,n Septe41er )(+ $88&+ at a1ot )9(( o:cloc; earl6 !awn+ at the National Par;+
01tan+ T1i5an+ Initao+ 3i.a4i. ,riental+ which i. within the jri.!iction o2 the
Honora1le Cort+ the a1o-e-na4e! acc.e!+ with intent to ;ill an! ta;in5 a!-anta5e o2
.perior .tren5th+ con.pirin5+ con2e!eratin5 with an! 4tall6 helpin5 each other+ !i!+
then an! there+ will2ll6+ nlaw2ll6+ an! 2elonio.l6 attac;+ a..alt+ 1o<+ hit+ an! won!
one E!5ar "alarpe with the .e o2 their 2i.t.+ 1ro;en 1ottle.+ an! other !ea!l6
weapon.+ th.+ in2lictin5 4ltiple .ta1 won!. pon the per.on o2 the latter which
ca.e! hi. !eath not lon5 therea2ter#
C,NTRAR= T, an! in -iolation o2 Article )*> o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e#
)
/inche.ter an! "re54ar were arre.te!# Ritchie re4aine! at-lar5e# Upon arrai5n4ent on
Janar6 7+ $88>+ a..i.te! 16 their con.el+ /inche.ter an! "re54ar plea!e! not 5ilt6# Trial
therea2ter en.e! with the pro.ection pre.entin5 3aricar Pere?+ Ro.ie Pa1ila+ Al Cailin5 an!
Dr# Ta446 U6 a. witne..e.# /inche.ter an! "re54ar te.ti2ie! in their 1ehal2#
The Case for the Prosecution
In the e-enin5 o2 Septe41er $8+ $88&+ /inche.ter+ Ritchie an! "re54ar were in the .tore o2
R!6 "alarpe at 01tan+ T1i5an+ Initao+ 3i.a4i. ,riental#
%
The three or!ere! a ca.e o2 re!
hor.e 1eer an! ha! a !rin;in5 .pree# The6 .an5 with the acco4pani4ent o2 a -i!eo ;arao;e#
Al.o in the .tore were R!6:. e4plo6ee+ 3aricar Pere?+ a wi!ow+ who wa. -en!in5 chic;en
1ar1ece@ an! the -icti4+ E!5ar "alarpe+ 3aricar:. 1o62rien!@ Ro.ie Pa1ela an! her 1o62rien!+
Al Cailin5#
*
/inche.ter an! Al were conte4porarie. in the Initao National Co4prehen.i-e Hi5h
School# Ro.ie ha! 1een the 5irl2rien! o2 /inche.ter 1e2ore .he 1eca4e the 5irl2rien! o2 Al#
3aricar ha! 1een e4plo6e! 2or one 4onth in the .tore o2 Ritchie:. 4other 1e2ore .he wa.
e4plo6e! 16 R!6#
At aron! )9(( a#4# the 2ollowin5 !a6+ 3aricar an! E!5ar an! Ro.ie an! Al a5ree! to ta;e a
.troll at the National Fore.t Par;+ which wa. a1ot one hal2 ;ilo4eter awa6 2ro4 the .tore#
Upon reachin5 the par;+ the two cople. .at on the concrete 1enche. 2acin5 each other+ with a
concrete ta1le in 1etween the4#
7
Al an! Ro.ie .at on one o2 the ce4ente! 1enche. 2acin5 the
national hi5hwa6
'
while E!5ar an! 3aricar .at on the other 1ench#
&
0ehin! Al an! Ro.ie wa. a
pole on which a 2lore.cent la4p wa. in.talle!#
>
A1ot 2i2t6 4eter. awa6 2ro4 the ta1le wa.
another 2lore.cent la4p in.talle! near the o22ice o2 the par; a!4ini.trator# The cople. place!
the two 1ottle. o2 re! hor.e 1eer which the6 1ro5ht alon5 with the4 on the ta1le# A2ter a 2ew
4inte.+ /inche.ter+ "re54ar an! Ritchie arri-e!#
/inche.ter tol! 3aricar that he wante! to 5et acAainte! with E!5ar+ an! a.;e! her
per4i..ion# 3aricar a5ree!# E!5ar intro!ce! hi4.el2 to /inche.ter+ at the .a4e ti4e+
e<ten!in5 hi. han! towar!. /inche.ter 2or a han!.ha;e an! .ai!9 BI am Edgar#B /inche.ter
.hoo; han!. with E!5ar# /hen E!5ar a.;e! 2or hi. na4e+ /inche.ter crtl6 re.pon!e!9 BKing-
king ko, Bay#B E!5ar wa. !412on!e! when /inche.ter 6an;e! hi. han! an! i44e!iatel6
1o<e! hi4# E!5ar 2ell to the 5ron!# He trie! to .tan! p 1t /inche.ter+ "re54ar an! Ritchie
5an5e! p on hi4+ ;ic;e! an! 4ale! hi4# Ritchie .trc; the two 1ottle. o2 re! hor.e 1eer
a5ain.t the ta1le an! hit E!5ar with the 1ro;en 1ottle.# /inche.ter a.tra!!le! the -icti4 while
Ritchie an! "re54ar po.itione! the4.el-e. on each .i!e o2 the -icti4# The three contine!
their a..alt on the -icti4 an! .ta11e! hi4# 3aricar an! Ro.ie .aw E!5ar 1ein5 .ta11e! 16
/inche.ter+ "re54ar an! Ritchie an! trie! in -ain to .top the a..alt# E!5ar plea!e! to hi.
attac;er. to .top a..altin5 hi4 tellin5 the4 that he ha! ..taine! .o 4an6 .ta1 won!.
alrea!6# Frantic+ Ro.ie .hote! at Ritchie+ "re54ar an! /inche.ter9 BWhat have we done to
you? Why did you do that to usCB Altho5h 4ortall6 won!e!+ E!5ar .too! p an! .ta55ere!
towar!. the !irection o2 the national hi5hwa6 onl6 to 2all !own near one o2 the ce4ente!
1enche. in the par; a1ot $( 4eter. 2ro4 the ta1le#
8
/inche.ter wante! to rn a2ter E!5ar 1t
wa. pre-aile! pon 16 Ro.ie not to# "re54ar an! Ritchie ran a2ter E!5ar 1t retrne! to the
par; when E!5ar 2ell !own# A2rai! that he wol! 1e the ne<t -icti4+ Al 2le! 2ro4 the par;
towar!. the national hi5hwa6 with Ritchie an! "re54ar in hot pr.it# Al wa. a1le to el!e hi.
pr.er.# Ritchie an! "re54ar rejoine! /inche.ter at the par;# "re54ar+ Ritchie an!
/inche.ter then le2t the par; to5ether# 3aricar trie! to help E!5ar p 1t he wa. too hea-6 2or
her# She then .hote! 2or help# /hen Al hear! the .hot. 2or help o2 3aricar+ he retrne! to the
par; an! to5ether with the 5irl.+ 2la55e! !own a trc;# The6 then 1oar!e! E!5ar in the trc;
an! ha! hi4 tran.porte! to the Initao Di.trict Ho.pital# Howe-er+ E!5ar wa. alrea!6 !ea! on
arri-al at the ho.pital#
Dr# Ta446 U6+ the 3e!ico-Le5al ,22icer o2 the National 0rea o2 In-e.ti5ation con!cte! an
atop.6 o2 the -icti4:. 1o!6# Hi. po.t 4orte4 2in!in5. are a. 2ollow.9
E41al4e!+ 2airl6 well-pre.er-e!# Area. o2 po.t-4orte4 5re6i.h-6ellowi.h !i.coloration. are
note!#
A0RASI,NS+ ro5hl6 linear9 &X(#% c4.#+ le2t .i!e o2 the che.t+ in2ero-4e!ial a.pect@
$(X(#) c4.#+ le2t lower thoracic re5ion 1etween le2t po.terior an! 4i!-a<illar6 line.#
A0RASI,NS+ con2lent+ )X$#7 c4.#+ ri5ht el1ow@ *X(#& c4.#+ le2t 2orear4+ 4i!!le thir!+
po.terior a.pect@ 7X' c4.#+ ri5ht ;nee re5ion@ 'X% c4.#+ le2t ;nee re5ion#
STA0 /,UNDS+ non-penetratin5@ two D)E in n41er@ elliptical in .hape.@ 4ea.rin5
$#& c4.# lon5 an! )#$ c4.# lon5@ locate! at the le2t .caplar re5ion o2 the 1ac; an!
4i!!le thir! o2 ri5ht 2orear4+ po.terior a.pect+ re.pecti-el6@ e!5e.+ clean-ct@
e<tre4itie. are 4o!i2ie! 16 e41al4in5@ 1oth !irecte! 2orwar!+ !ownwar!+ 4e!iall6@
in-ol-in5 onl6 the .;in an! n!erl6in5 .o2t ti..e. an! 4.cle.@ with appro<i4ate
!epth. o2 )#) c4.# an! )#7 c4.#+ re.pecti-el6#
STA0 /,UNDS+ non-penetratin5@ twel-e D$)E in n41er@ trian5lar in .hape.@ with
a-era5e .i?e. o2 (#*X(#*X(#* c4#@ two D)E are locate! at the che.t+ .i< D'E at the 1ac;+
two D)E at the le2t pper ar4+ one D$E at the !or.4 o2 ri5ht han!+ an! one D$E at the
4i!!le thir! o2 ri5ht thi5h+ po.terior a.pect@ with cont.e! e!5e.@ in-ol-in5 onl6 the .;in
an! n!erl6in5 .o2t ti..e. an! 4.cle.@ with appro<i4ate !epth. ran5in5 1etween (#'
c4# an! %#& c4.#
STA0 /,UNDS+ penetratin5@ 2or D*E in n41er@ trian5lar in .hape.@ with a-era5e
.i?e. o2 (#*X(#*X(#* c4#@ one D$E i. locate! at the le2t .i!e o2 the che.t+ 4e!ial a.pect+
an! three D%E at the le2t lower thoracic re5ion o2 the 1ac;@ with cont.e! e!5e.@
in-ol-in5 a4on5 other.+ the .;in an! n!erl6in5 .o2t ti..e. an! 4.cle.+ the
pericar!i4 an! ri5ht -entricle o2 the heart+ the lower lo1e o2 the le2t ln5+ the lower
lo1e o2 the le2t ln5 an! the lower lo1e o2 the le2t ln5+ DsicE re.pecti-el6+ with
appro<i4ate !epth. o2 '#7 c4.+ ' c4.+ 7#7 c4.+ an! &#7 c4.+ re.pecti-el6#
HE3,PERICARDIU3+ a1ot %( cc# e41al4e! 1loo!#
HE3,TH,RAX+ le2t+ a1ot *(( cc# e41al4e! 1loo!@ le2t ln5+ atelectatic#
Sto4ach+ e4pt6# Heart cha41er.+ e4pt6 o2 1loo!# 0rain an! other -i.ceral or5an.+
e41al4e! an! 2airl6 well-pre.er-e!#
FFFFFFFFFFF
CAUSE ,F DEATH9 He4orrha5e+ .e-ere+ .econ!ar6 to 4ltiple .ta1 won!.#
$(
The efenses and Evidence of the !ccused
"re54ar an! /inche.ter !enie! a..altin5 an! .ta11in5 E!5ar# The6 clai4e! that it wa.
Ritchie alone who .ta11e! an! ;ille! the -icti4#
/inche.ter te.ti2ie! that 1e2ore he le2t Sitio 01tan 2or 3anila+ he an! Ro.ie ha! 1een
.weetheart.# Howe-er+ the6 1ro;e p 1e2ore /inche.ter le2t 2or 3anila# /inche.ter wa.
e4plo6e! 2or .e-en 4onth. in a printin5 pre.. in 3anila# He ha! to retrn on Septe41er $*+
$88& to 01tan when hi. 2ather !ie!# Howe-er+ /inche.ter wa. pee-e! when hi. 2ather wa.
1rie! e-en 1e2ore hi. arri-al# In the 4eanti4e+ /inche.ter an! Ro.ie reconcile!#
,n Septe41er $8+ $88&+ late in the e-enin5+ /inche.ter+ "re54ar an! Ritchie were in the .tore
o2 R!6 "alarpe at 01tan+ T1i5an+ Initao+ 3i.a4i. ,riental# The6 .an5 with the
acco4pani4ent o2 a -i!eo ;arao;e# /ith the4 were 3aricar Pere?+ the 5irl2rien! o2 Ritchie an!
Ro.ie Pa1ilan who were li.tenin5 to the .in5in5 an! the ;arao;e# At a1ot )9(( a#4# the
2ollowin5 !a6+ Ro.ie an! 3aricar le2t the .tore tellin5 Ritchie that the6 were 5oin5 to the par; in
the 2ore.t an! 2or hi4 an! /inche.ter to 2ollow the4# The two wo4en le2t the .tore 2ir.t+
2ollowe! 16 Ritchie an! /inche.ter an! "re54ar# /hen the6 reache! the par;+ /inche.ter+
Ritchie an! "re54ar .aw that the two wo4en were with E!5ar "alarpe an! Al Cailin5 .eate!
on the 1enche. 4a!e o2 ce4ent# /inche.ter then a.;e! 3aricar i2 he+ /inche.ter+ col! 5et
acAainte! with E!5ar+ an! 3aricar a5ree!# /inche.ter then e<ten!e! hi. han! towar!. E!5ar
an! intro!ce! hi4.el2+ th.9 BKiking ako, "artsB DI a4 Gi;in5+ part.E# Howe-er+ E!5ar a1rptl6
plle! the han! o2 /inche.ter an! 1o<e! /inche.ter on the nec;# /inche.ter an! E!5ar then
2o5ht each other# Ritchie an! Al li;ewi.e 2o5ht with each other# 3aricar inter-ene! an!
paci2ie! Ritchie an! Al# E!5ar an! /inche.ter contine! 1o<in5 each other# /inche.ter 2ell
!own when E!5ar hit hi4# /hen he .aw hi. 2rien! /inche.ter !own on the 5ron!+ Ritchie
.trc; the 1ottle. o2 re! hor.e 1eer a5ain.t the ta1le an! hit E!5ar with the 1ro;en 1ottle.#
E!5ar 2le! 2ro4 the par; towar!. the national hi5hwa6# Ritchie+ ar4e! with a ;ni2e+ ran a2ter
E!5ar# Al al.o 2le! 2ro4 the par;# ,n the other han!+ /inche.ter an! "re54ar re4aine! in the
par; with 3aricar an! Ro.ie# Ritchie later rejoine! /inche.ter an! "re54ar in the par;# The6
then le2t the par; to5ether# ,n Septe41er ))+ $88&+ /inche.ter wa. arre.te! 16 police4en 2or
the !eath o2 E!5ar#
/inche.ter a!!ce! e-i!ence that on Septe41er )%+ $88&+ he wa. e<a4ine! an! treate! 16
Dr# Jai4a Roa+ the 3nicipal Health ,22icer+ 2or the 2ollowin5 injrie.9
$# ,l! cont.ion ri5ht 4i!!le ar4 lateral portion a1ot $H inch in a .e4i circlar#
$$
"re54ar te.ti2ie! that he wa. 1orn on Janar6 $7+ $8>(# To 1ttre.. hi. te.ti4on6+ he a!!ce!
in e-i!ence hi. Certi2icate o2 Li-e 0irth
$)
an! hi. Ele4entar6 School Per4anent Recor!
$%

.howin5 that he wa. 1orn on Janar6 $7+ $8>(# He al.o te.ti2ie! that on hi. wa6 to the par;
with /inche.ter an! Ritchie+ he tarrie! 1eca.e he ha! to !e2ecate# A2ter he ha! !e2ecate!+ he
hear! a wo4an .hotin5 2or help 2ro4 the !irection o2 the par;# He r.he! to the par; an! .aw
E!5ar 4alin5 /inche.ter# /inche.ter 2ell to the 5ron!# E!5ar then ;nelt on the 1ac; o2
/inche.ter an! 4ale! hi4 anew# Ritchie .ta11e! E!5ar .e-eral ti4e. an! 2le! 2ro4 the par;#
The #erdict of the Tria$ Court
,n ,cto1er 8+ $88>+ the trial cort ren!ere! it. J!54ent
$*
with the 2ollowin5 !i.po.iti-e
portion9
IN THE LI"HT ,F THE F,RE",IN" C,NSIDERATI,NS+ thi. Cort here16 2in!.
1oth acc.e!+ /INCHESTER A0UT an! "RE"3AR 0ALI"A+ "UILT= 0E=,ND
REAS,NA0LE D,U0T o2 the cri4e o2 3URDER+ in con.pirac6 with each other a.
principal. 16 !irect participation#
Con.i!erin5 that the cri4e wa. co44itte! 16 1oth acc.e! /inche.ter A1t an!
"re54ar 0ali5a when the penalt6 2or 3r!er wa. a4en!e! 16 R#A# &'78+ e22ecti-e
Janar6 $+ $88*+ the .ai! penaltie. 2on! in .ai! law i. applica1le an! here16
.entence. the acc.e!+ /INCHESTER A0UT to DEATH 0= LETHAL INJECTI,N#
Acc.e! "re54ar 0ali5a+ who i. .till 1elow $> 6ear. when the cri4e wa. co44itte!+ i.
.entence! to an in!eter4inate penalt6 o2 Ten D$(E 6ear. o2 Prision %ayor a. 4ini44
to Se-enteen D$&E 6ear. an! 2or D*E 4onth. o2 &ec$usion Tem"ora$ a. the 4a<i44
ter4#
The two acc.e!+ /INCHESTER A0UT an! "RE"3AR 0ALI"A are or!ere! to pa6
Se-ent6 Fi-e Tho.an! Pe.o. DP&7+(((#((E to the herein o22en!e! part6 a. in!e4nit6
an! another Se-ent6 Fi-e Tho.an! Pe.o. DP&7+(((#((E a. 4oral !a4a5e.+ an! to
pa6 the co.t.#
S, ,RDERED#
$7
/inche.ter an! "re54ar+ now appellant.+ a..ail the !eci.ion o2 the trial cort conten!in5 that9
I
THE C,URT ! '() "RAFEL= ERRED IN FINDIN" THAT THE "UILT ,F ACCUSED-
APPELLANTS F,R THE CRI3E CHAR"ED /ERE PR,FEN 0E=,ND REAS,NA0LE
D,U0T#
II
"RANTIN" THAT HEREIN ACCUSED-APPELLANTS ARE "UILT= IN GILLIN" THE FICTI3+
THE C,URT ! '() "RAFEL= ERRED IN C,NFICTIN" THE3 ,F THE CRI3E CHAR"ED
INSTEAD ,F THE LESSER ,FFENSE ,F H,3ICIDE#
III
"RANTIN" FURTHER THAT HEREIN ACCUSED-APPELLANTS ARE "UILT= ,F THE
CRI3E CHAR"ED+ THE C,URT ! '() "RAFEL= ERRED IN I3P,SIN" THE SUPRE3E
PENALT= ,F DEATH UP,N ACCUSED-APPELLANT /INCHESTER A0UT#
$'
,n the 2ir.t a..i5n4ent o2 error.+ the appellant. a..ert that Ritchie alone a..alte! an! ;ille!
the -icti4# The pro.ection 2aile! to pro-e that the appellant. con.pire! with Ritchie to a..alt
an! ;ill the -icti4# The6 !i! not inten! to a..alt an! ;ill the -icti4# The6 an! Ritchie procee!e!
to the par; 2ro4 the .tore o2 R!6 "alarpe 4erel6 to 5et acAainte! with the -icti4 an! Al an!
not to a..alt or ;ill hi4# The appellant. col! not ha-e con.pire! with Ritchie to a..alt an! ;ill
the -icti4 1eca.e DaE appellant /inche.ter wa. .ha;in5 han!. with the -icti4 when Ritchie
1ro;e two 1ottle. o2 re! hor.e 1eer pro4ptin5 the -icti4 to -iolentl6 pll the han! o2 the
appellant@ D1E Ro.ie wa. a1le to pll awa6 appellant /inche.ter 2ro4 E!5ar@ DcE it wa. Ritchie
alone who pr.e! the -icti4 a. the latter .ta55ere! 2ro4 the par; towar!. the national
hi5hwa6@ D!E appellant "re54ar wa. .till !e2ecatin5 while the -icti4 wa. 1ein5 4ale!+
a..alte! an! .ta11e! 16 Ritchie@ DeE e-en a. 3aricar+ Ro.ie an! Al were carr6in5 the -icti4 to
the trc;+ Ro.ie an! 3aricar were tal;in5 with the appellant. an! Ritchie@ hence+ the wo4en
were aware that the a..alt an! ;illin5 o2 the -icti4 were the re.lt o2 an ncontrolle! ot1r.t
o2 e4otion.# 3aricar+ Ro.ie an! Al col! not ha-e i!enti2ie! an! pin-pointe! who a4on5 the
appellant. an! Ritchie a..alte! an! .ta11e! E!5ar con.i!erin5 that the 4oon wa. !i4l6 lit
an! that the 2lore.cent la4p in.talle! near the o22ice o2 the par; a!4ini.trator wa. a1ot 2i2t6
4eter. awa6 2ro4 the situs criminis#
The Cort i. not per.a!e! 16 the contention. o2 the appellant.#
06 challen5in5 their i!enti2ication 16 the witne..e. o2 the pro.ection+ a. the a..ailant. o2 the
-icti4+ the appellant. there16 attac;e! the cre!i1ilit6 o2 .ai! witne..e. an! the pro1ati-e wei5ht
o2 their te.ti4onie.# 0t the le5al aphori.4 i. that when the i..e o2 cre!i1ilit6 o2 witne..e. i.
in-ol-e!+ the 2in!in5. o2 2act. o2 the trial cort+ it. cali1ration o2 the te.ti4onie. o2 witne..e. an!
it. a..e..4ent o2 the pro1ati-e wei5ht thereo2+ a. well a. it. concl.ion. anchore! on .ai!
2in!in5. are accor!e! 16 the appellate cort hi5h re.pect i2 not concl.i-e e22ect preci.el6
1eca.e o2 the niAe a!-anta5e o2 the trial cort in o1.er-in5 an! 4onitorin5 at clo.e ran5e
the !e4eanor+ !eport4ent an! con!ct o2 the witne..e. a. the6 te.ti26 nle.. the trial cort
ha. o-erloo;e!+ 4i.con.tre! or 4i.interprete! co5ent 2act. o2 .1.tance which i2 con.i!ere!
4i5ht a22ect the re.lt o2 the ca.e#
$&
In thi. ca.e+ there i. no .howin5 that the trial cort o-erloo;e!+ 4i.n!er.too!+ 4i.applie! or
4i.con.tre! an6 2act. o2 .1.tance that wol! ha-e 4ateriall6 a22ecte! the otco4e o2 the
ca.e# The trial cort 2on! the collecti-e te.ti4onie. o2 the witne..e. o2 the pro.ection
.trai5ht2orwar!+ po.iti-e an! cre!i1le+ in contra.t to the te.ti4onie. o2 the appellant.# The trial
cort correctl6 concl!e! that the appellant. con.pire! with Ritchie in a..altin5 an! .ta11in5
the -icti4 to !eath an! that all o2 the4 are cri4inall6 lia1le 2or the !eath o2 the -icti4# The
appellant. cannot th. ar5e that 3aricar+ Ro.ie an! Al col! not ha-e .een the appellant.
.ta1 an! ;ill the -icti4#
A con.pirac6 e<i.t. when two or 4ore per.on. co4e to an a5ree4ent concernin5 the
co44i..ion o2 a 2elon6 an! !eci!e to co44it it# To e.ta1li.h con.pirac6+ !irect e-i!ence i. not
reAire!# It i. not e-en e..ential that there 1e proo2 o2 the a5ree4ent to co44it the 2elon6#
Proo2 o2 concerte! action o2 the acc.e! 1e2ore+ !rin5 an! a2ter the cri4e which !e4on.trate.
their nit6 o2 !e.i5n an! o1jecti-e i. .22icient# Thi. Cort ha! con.i.tentl6 rle! that con.pirac6
4a6 1e in2erre! when 16 their act.+ two or 4ore per.on. procee! towar!. the acco4pli.h4ent
o2 the .a4e 2elonio. o1jecti-e+ with each !oin5 hi. act+ .o that their act. tho5h .ee4in5l6
in!epen!ent were in 2act connecte!+ .howin5 a clo.ene.. o2 2or4er a..ociation an!
concrrence o2 .enti4ent# To hol! one a. a co-principal 16 rea.on o2 con.pirac6 it 4.t 1e
.hown that he per2or4e! an o-ert act in pr.ance o2 or 2rtherance o2 the con.pirac6+
altho5h the act. per2or4e! 4i5ht ha-e 1een !i.tinct an! .eparate# Thi. o-ert act 4a6 con.i.t
o2 acti-e participation in the actal co44i..ion o2 the cri4e it.el2+ or it 4a6 con.i.t o2 4oral
a..i.tance to hi. co-con.pirator. 16 1ein5 pre.ent at the ti4e o2 the co44i..ion o2 the cri4e+
or 16 e<ertin5 a 4oral a.cen!ance o-er the other co-con.pirator. 16 4o-in5 the4 to e<ecte or
i4ple4ent the cri4inal plan# ,nce con.pirac6 i. e.ta1li.he!+ all the con.pirator. are
an.wera1le a. co-principal. re5ar!le.. o2 their !e5ree o2 participation+ 2or in the conte4plation
o2 the law+ the act o2 one 1eco4e. the act o2 all#
$>
It 4atter. not who a4on5 the acc.e!
in2licte! the 2atal 1low to the -icti4#
$8
In thi. ca.e+ the e-i!ence on recor! in!1ita1l6 .how. that a2ter intro!cin5 hi4.el2 to the
-icti4+ appellant /inche.ter plle! the han! o2 the -icti4 an! 1o<e! hi4# Ritchie 1ro;e two
1ottle. o2 1eer an! hit the -icti4 with the 1ro;en 1ottle.# The appellant. an! Ritchie 5an5e! p
an! a..alte! the -icti4# Not content+ the6 .ta11e! the -icti4 repeate!l6# 3aricar narrate! how
the appellant. an! Ritchie 16 their collecti-e act. ;ille! the -icti4+ th.9
I An! a2ter E!5ar "alarpe .ai! hi. na4e to /inche.ter A1t+ what !i!
/inche.ter A1t .a6C
A /inche.ter A1t !i! not an.wer when E!5ar "alarpe .ai! BHow a1ot 6o+
PartnerC /hat i. 6or na4eCB
I An! what happene! a2ter thatC
A Then Richie DsicE /a.lo 5ot the two Re! Hor.e 1ottle which were .till col!#
I An! what happene! to the.e 1ottle.C
A The two Re! Hor.e 1ottle. were 1ro;en#
I Then+ what happene!C
A The6 i44e!iatel6 attac;e! E!5ar#
I /ho are the.e who attac;e! E!5ar "alarpeC
A /inche.ter A1t+ Richie /a.lo an! "re54ar 0ale5a#
I How !i! the6 .!!enl6 attac; E!5ar "alarpeC How a1ot /inche.ter A1tC
A /inche.ter A1t 1o<e! E!5ar "alarpe#
I /here wa. he hitC
A I wa. not a1le to notice where E!5ar "alarpe wa. hit 1eca.e there wa.
alrea!6 a r41le# He wa. 5an5e! p 16 the three#
I How a1ot Al Cailin5C /here wa. he !rin5 the r41leC
A Al Cailin5 wa. near .#
I /hat a1ot /a.loC /hat .peci2icall6 !i! he !o when 6o .ai! he 5an5e! p on
E!5ar "alarpeC ,n the part o2 /a.lo+ what .peci2icall6 !i! he !o 16 wa6 o2 attac;in5
E!5ar "alarpeC
A Richie /a.lo ;ept on 1o<in5 E!5ar "alarpe#
I Do 6o recall where wa. E!5ar "alarpe hit 16 Richie /a.loC
A I cannot recall#
I /hat happene! to E!5ar "alarpe when he wa. 1o<e! 16 Richie /a.loC
A /hen E!5ar "alarpe wa. contino.l6 1o<e!+ he 2ell !own#
I How a1ot "re54ar 0ale5aC /hat .peci2icall6 !i! he !o 16 wa6 o2 attac;in5
E!5ar "alarpeC
A Still the .a4e# "re54ar 0ale5a ;ept on 1o<in5 E!5ar "alarpe# The three o2
the4 too; trn. in attac;in5 E!5ar "alarpe#
I How a1ot the 1ottle in which the 5rop 1ro5htC
A The 1ottle that wa. 1ro;en wa. le2t in the ta1le#
I =o 4entione! a2ter awhile that E!5ar "alarpe 2ell !own# /hat !i! acc.e! !o
when E!5ar "alarpe 2ell !ownC
A That wa. the ti4e when /inche.ter A1t ro!e on top o2 E!5ar "alarpe+ while
"re54ar 0ale5a wa. on one .i!e+ while Richie /a.lo wa. on the other .i!e#
I Now+ what wa. /inche.ter A1t !oin5 to E!5ar "alarpe when he wa. ri!in5 on
top o2 E!5ar "alarpeC
A The6 ;ept on .ta11in5+ 1t I !i! not .ee what wa. the in.tr4ent .e! 16 the4
in .ta11in5 E!5ar "alarpe 1eca.e the 4oonli5ht wa. not Aite 1ri5ht#
I How wa. E!5ar "alarpe po.itione! while l6in5 on the 5ron!C
A At 2ir.t E!5ar "alarpe wa. l6in5 on hi. 1ac;+ 1t a2ter awhile+ he wa. a1le to lie
on hi. 2ace to the 5ron! 1eca.e he .tr55le! .o that he can .tan! p#
I /a. he a1le to .tan! pC
A A2ter awhile+ when Richie /a.lo le2t+ he wa. a1le to .tan! p 1eca.e when I
plle! p+ /inche.ter A1t+ E!5ar "alarpe .hote! eno5h 1eca.e I ha-e 4an6 .ta1
won!. alrea!6#
I How a1ot Ro.ie Pa1elaC /hat wa. .he !oin5 all the whileC
A Ro.ie Pa1ela plle! ot /inche.ter A1t an! ;ept on .hotin5+ B/hat ha-e we
!one to 6oC+B an! Bwh6 !i! 6o !o thi. to .CB
)(
Al Cailin5 corro1orate! the te.ti4on6 o2 3aricar when he te.ti2ie! on !irect an! cro..
e<a4ination.+ th.9
I An! who wa. thi. one who intro!ce! hi4.el2C
A /inche.ter A1t intro!ce! hi4.el2#
I How !i! he !o thatC
A /hen the6 arri-e! the6 4et 3aricar Pere? an! 3aricar .ai!+ B6o are here Gin5+
intro!ce 6or.el2B an! .o he .ai!+ Gin5-Gin5 ;o+ 0a6+ 4eanin5+ BI a4 Gin5-Gin5+ 0a6#B
I /hen he .ai! Gin5-Gin5 ;o 0a6+ to who4 !i! he .a6 tho.e wor!.C
A /inche.ter A1t a!!re..e! tho.e wor!. to E!5ar "alarpe#
I An! what wa. the an.wer o2 E!5ar "alarpeC
A E!5ar "alarpe an.were!+ BI a4 E!5ar+ 0a6#B
I A2ter that+ what happene! ne<tC
A /hen Gin5-Gin5 relea.e! the han! o2 E!5ar "alarpe+ he i44e!iatel6 1o<e!
E!5ar "alarpe an! .o E!5ar "alarpe .too! p+ 1t he wa. 5an5e! p#
I /ho 5an5e! p E!5ar "alarpeC
A /inche.ter A1t+ "re54ar 0ali5a an! Ritchie /a.lo 5an5e! p E!5ar "alarpe#
I /hen the6 5an5e! p E!5ar "alarpe+ what happene! to E!5ar "alarpeC
C,URT9
Slowl6# 0e2ore that+ a.; howC
I How !i! the6 5an5 p E!5ar "alarpeC
A The three acc.e! helpe! one another in .ta11in5 E!5ar "alarpe#
C,URT9
/hat !i! the6 .eC
A I cannot e<actl6 !eter4ine what were the in.tr4ent. .e! 16 the4 in .ta11in5
E!5ar "alarpe 1eca.e there were in.22icient ill4ination o2 li5ht#
I /hile the6 were 5an5in5 p E!5ar "alarpe+ what happene! to E!5ar "alarpeC
A D/hat happene! toE E!5ar "alarpe 2ell !own#
I An! when E!5ar "alarpe 2ell !own+ what !i! /iche.ter DsicE A1t !oC
A /iche.ter DsicE A1t wa. 1ro5ht 16 Ro.ie Pa1ila towar!. the .ea.hore#
)$
<<< <<< <<<
I So+ i44e!iatel6 therea2ter+ /inche.ter A1t intro!ce! hi4.el2 to 6oC
A =e.+ 3a4#
I An! he .!!enl6 1o<e! E!5ar "alarpeC
A I44e!iatel6 a2ter relea.in5 the han!. o2 E!5ar "alarpe 1eca.e the6 were
.ha;in5 han!.#
I /ithot an6 rea.on+ he i44e!iatel6 1o<e! E!5ar "alarpeC
A =e.+ 3a4#
I How a1ot Ritchie /a.lo+ what wa. he !oin5 thenC
A Then+ the three acc.e! helpe! one another in 4alin5 E!5ar "alarpe#
I I. it not a 2act+ 3r# Cailin5+ that thi. /inche.ter A1t 2ell !own 1e2ore there
DthereE wa. a co44otion a4on5 thi. 5rop an! the 5rop o2 /inche.ter A1t#
A /inche.ter A1t !i! not 2all !own#
I 0t+ 6o are a.certain DsicE+ 3r# Cailin5+ that when there wa. a co44otion+ 6o
le2t the place in.tea! o2 helpin5 E!5ar "alarpeC
A E!5ar "alarpe an! atte4pte! to rn awa6 an! E!5ar "alarpe wa. cha.e! 16
the two acc.e!+ /iche.ter DsicE A1t an! "re54ar 0ali5a an! I wa. cha.e! 16 Ritchie
/a.lo#
I So+ it i. not tre that the three acc.e! 5an5e! p E!5ar "alarpeC There wa.
2ir.t a cha.in5 o2 E!5ar "alarpe 16 the two acc.e!+ /inche.ter A1t an! "re54ar
0ali5a an! a5ain.t 6o 16 Ritchie /a.loC
A At 2ir.t+ E!5ar "alarpe wa. 5an5e! p 16 the three acc.e!+ an! when E!5ar
"alarpe an! 46.el2 atte4pte! to rn awa6+ I wa. cha.e! 16 Ritchie /a.lo while E!5ar
"alarpe wa. cha.e! 16 /inche.ter A1t an! "re54ar 0ali5a+ 1t E!5ar "alarpe !i!
not rn 1eca.e he wa. alrea!6 won!e!#
I 0t+ 6o !i! not .ee who .ta11e! E!5ar "alarpeC
A I .aw that E!5ar "alarpe wa. .ta11e! 16 the three acc.e!#
I De.pite the 2act+ the three acc.e! 5an5e! p E!5ar "alarpe+ 6o !i! not !o
an6thin5C
A I atte4pte! to help E!5ar "alarpe+ 1t I wa. al.o a2rai! an! .o+ I ran awa6#
I =o are tellin5 now the cort that onl6 the 5irl. or the 2e4ale. who helpe! E!5ar
"alarpe when there wa. a co44otionC
A It !i! not ta;e lon5 an! I ca4e 1ac; 1eca.e 3aricar Pere? wa. .hotin5 2or 4e
to co4e 1ac;#
))
Ro.ie Pa1ila li;ewi.e te.ti2ie! that the appellant. an! Ritchie .ta11e! the -icti4 .e-eral ti4e.#
)%
A. .hown in the atop.6 report o2 Dr# Ta446 U6+ the -icti4 ..taine! ei5hteen .ta1 won!. on
the che.t+ ar4.+ thi5h. an! at the 1ac;+ a. well a. a1ra.ion.#
)*
The 2in!in5 o2 the trial cort that
the appellant. .ta11e! the -icti4 i. 1ttre..e! 16 the te.ti4on6 o2 the !octor that the a..ailant.
.e! two ;in!. o2 weapon.+ a .in5le or !o1le-1la!e! in.tr4ent or o1ject an! a .harp-pointe!
in.tr4ent with three .i!e. Dtre. canto.E9
I The ne<t entr6 are .ta1 won!.# /here are the.e locate!C
A The.e two .ta1 won!. are locate! at the le2t .caplar re5ion o2 the 1ac; or le2t
.hol!er 1la!e re5ion+ an! the other i. locate! at the po.terior a.pect o2 the 2orear4#
I What cou$d have caused these two sta* woundsC
A Considering that these sta* wounds are e$i"tica$ +sic, in sha"e they cou$d have
*een caused *y any shar"-*$aded o*-ect or instrument.
I /uch as a knifeC
A 0es#
I How !eep are the.e .ta1 won!.C
A /ell+ the .i?e are $#& c4 lon5 an! )#$ c4 lon5 an! the6 ha-e an appro<i4ate
!epth o2 )#) c4 an! )#7 c4+ re.pecti-el6#
I Do 6o con.i!er tho.e .ta1 won!. a. 2atalC
A No#
I Col! 6o e.ti4ate how !eep i. that with 6or 2in5erC
A )#7 c4 i. ro5h which i. eAi-alent o2 one inc# )#) c4 i. al4o.t one inch#
I Cou$d you te$$ if the si1e or shar"-"ointed instrument used was sing$e or dou*$e-
*$adedC
A I cou$d not te$$ that. It cou$d *e sing$e or dou*$e-*$aded#
I The ne2t entry is twe$ve sta* wounds. Cou$d you "ointC
A These twe$ve non-"enetrating sta* wounds are descri*ed in my re"ort. !s to
sha"e they are triangu$ar in sha"e#
I What cou$d have caused these sta* woundsC
A These cou$d have *een caused *y a shar"-"ointed instrument with three sides#
I Sch a. a 2ileC
A A 2ile Dli41a. or tre. canto.E#
I The.e .ta1 won!. are 2atalC
A Con.i!erin5 that all o2 the4 are non-penetratin5+ i2 the6 are ta;en in!i-i!all6
the6 are non-2atal# A. to location+ two are locate! at the che.t@ .i< at the 1ac;@ two at
the le2t pper ar4@ one at the 1ac; o2 the ri5ht han!@ an! one in the 4i!!le thir! o2 the
ri5ht thi5h po.terior a.pect+ 1ac; o2 the ri5ht thin5#
I /ol! 6o .a6 that the won! 2on! on the !or.al portion o2 the han! col! 1e
calle! a. a !e2en.i-e won!C
A =e.+ it i. po..i1le#
I How a1ot the other won!. at the 2orear4 which 6o 4entione! in Entr6 No#
%C
A The one at the po.terior a.pect o2 the le2t 2orear4 i. hi5hl6 in!icati-e o2 a
!e2en.i-e won!#
I The la.t entr6 i. al.o .ta1 won!.+ 2or in n41er an! penetratin5# /here are
the.e locate!C
A The.e are locate! on the 2ollowin59 ,ne i. 2on! on the le2t .i!e o2 the che.t
4e!ial a.pect or near the center o2 the 1o!6@ the other three are locate! at the le2t
lower thoracic re5ion o2 the 1ac;+ 4ore or le.. 1elow the le2t .hol!er 1la!e re5ion
Dwitne.. !e4on.tratin5E#
I What kind of wea"on was used in the inf$iction of these four sta* woundsC
A We$$, these cou$d have *een caused *y a shar"-"ointed o*-ect or instrument
with three sides or three corner or tres kantos#
I !$$ the four sta* woundsC
A 0es#
I Col! 6o !eter4ine which o2 the penetratin5 .ta1 won! wa. ca.e! 2ir.tC
A I cannot !eter4ine that+ .ir# I can onl6 .a6 that all the.e .ta1 won!. ..taine!
16 the -icti4 were in2licte! on the 2act while he wa. .till ali-e#
I Col! 6o ha?ar! an e!cate! 5e.. o2 what po.ition wa. the -icti4 at the ti4e
he wa. .ta11e! with the.e penetratin5 won!.C
A /ell+ with re.pect to the le2t .i!e o2 the che.t+ 4o.t pro1a1l6 the6 were+ 4ore or
le..+ 2acin5 each other while the three at the 1ac; i. that 4o.t pro1a1l6 the a..ailant
wa.+ 4ore or le..+ at the 1ac; o2 the -icti4#
I /ol! 6o .a6 that the -icti4 wa. l6in5 at that ti4e when the won!. were
in2licte! on hi4C
A That i. po..i1le#
I /hich o2 the.e .ta1 won!. wa. 2atalC
A Each o2 the4 col! 1e 2atal 1eca.e the one at the che.t in-ol-e! the heart+
while the three at the 1ac; in-ol-e! the ln5.#
I Are 6o tr6in5 to .a6 that the one 2on! on the le2t che.t ca.e! injr6 o2 the
heartC
A =e.#
)7
Altho5h Ritchie alone pr.e! the -icti4 a. he .ta55ere! 2ro4 the situs criminis+ howe-er+ 16
then the -icti4 ha! alrea!6 1een a..alte! an! repeate!l6 .ta11e! 16 the appellant. an!
Ritchie# The appellant. cannot th. ar5e that Ritchie alone i. cri4inall6 lia1le 2or the !eath o2
the -icti4# A. a5ain.t the collecti-e po.iti-e te.ti4onie. o2 the witne..e. o2 the pro.ection
cople! with the ph6.ical e-i!ence on recor! pointin5 to the appellant. an! Ritchie a. the
perpetrator. o2 the cri4e+ the 1are !enial o2 the appellant. which are 4erel6 ne5ati-e .el2-
.er-in5 e-i!ence cannot pre-ail#
)'
0e.i!e.+ there i. no e-i!ence on recor! that the three
witne..e. o2 the pro.ection ha! an6 ill 4oti-e. to te.ti26 a5ain.t the appellant. an! a.cri1e to
the4 the co44i..ion o2 a heino. cri4e 2or which the appellant. col! 1e 4ete! rec$usion
"er"etua or e-en the !eath penalt6# It wol! rn conter to the natral or!er o2 e-ent. an! o2
h4an natre an! contrar6 to the pre.4ption o2 5oo! 2aith 2or the pro.ection witne..e. to
2al.el6 te.ti26 a5ain.t the appellant. i2+ in!ee!+ the6 are innocent#
)&
In .4+ the appellant. are cri4inall6 lia1le 2or the !eath o2 the -icti4#
The Crime Committed *y the !""e$$ants
,n the .econ! an! thir! a..i5n4ent o2 error.+ the appellant. a-er that the6 are 5ilt6 onl6 o2
ho4ici!e a. !e2ine! in Article )*8 o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e+ an! not o2 4r!er# E-en i2 it i.
a..4e! that the appellant. are 5ilt6 o2 4r!er+ the proper penalt6 2or the cri4e i. rec$usion
"er"etua an! not the !eath penalt6# Altho5h the cri4e i. Aali2ie! 16 a1.e o2 .perior
.tren5th+ howe-er+ treacher6 wa. not alle5e! in the in2or4ation@ an! hence+ treacher6 .hol!
not 1e con.i!ere! a. an a55ra-atin5 circ4.tance in the co44i..ion o2 the cri4e#
The trial cort correctl6 con-icte! the appellant. o2 4r!er with the Aali26in5 circ4.tance o2
a1.e o2 .perior .tren5th# Howe-er+ the trial cort erre! in appreciatin5 treacher6 a5ain.t the
appellant.# There i. treacher6 when the o22en!er co44it. an6 o2 the cri4e. a5ain.t per.on.
e4plo6in5 4ean.+ 4etho!. or 2or4. in the e<ection thereo2 which ten! !irectl6 an! .peciall6
to in.re it. e<ection withot ri.; to hi4.el2 ari.in5 2ro4 the !e2en.e which the o22en!e! part6
4i5ht 4a;e# In or!er that treacher6 4a6 1e appreciate! a. a Aali26in5 circ4.tance+ it 4.t 1e
.hown that9 a#E the 4ale2actor e4plo6e! 4ean.+ 4etho! or 4anner o2 e<ection a22or!in5 the
per.on attac;e! no opportnit6 to !e2en! hi4.el2 or to retaliate@ an! 1#E the 4ean.+ 4etho! or
4anner o2 e<ection wa. !eli1eratel6 or con.cio.l6 a!opte! 16 the o22en!er# The .econ! i.
the .1jecti-e ele4ent o2 treacher6#
)>
Treacher6 4.t 1e pro-e! 16 clear an! con-incin5
e-i!ence a. concl.i-el6 a. the ;illin5 it.el2# In the a1.ence o2 an6 con-incin5 proo2 that the
acc.e! con.cio.l6 an! !eli1eratel6 a!opte! the 4ean. 16 which the6 co44itte! the cri4e in
or!er to en.re it. e<ection+ the Cort 4.t re.ol-e the !o1t in 2a-or o2 the acc.e!#
)8
In thi.
ca.e+ the pro.ection 2aile! to pro-e that the 4o!e or 4anner o2 e<ection wa. !eli1eratel6 or
con.cio.l6 a!opte! 16 the appellant. when the6 .ta11e! the -icti4# Appellant /inche.ter 2ir.t
1o<e! the -icti4# The appellant. an! Ritchie then 4ale! an! ;ic;e! the -icti4# There i. no
e-i!ence that at the ot.et+ the6 ha! !eci!e! to .ta1 an! ;ill the -icti4# It wa. onl6 at the late
.ta5e o2 the a..alt that the appellant. an! Ritchie .ta11e! the -icti4# The Cort 1elie-e. that
a2ter 5an5in5 p on an! 4alin5 the -icti4+ the appellant.+ at the .pr-o2-the 4o4ent+ !eci!e!
to .ta1 the -icti4# Th.+ the .1jecti-e ele4ent o2 treacher6 wa. not pre.ent#
%(
Howe-er+ the
appellant. an! Ritchie a1.e! their .perior .tren5th# The6 1o<e! an! ;ic;e! the -icti4 withot
let p# The6 4ale! an! ;ic;e! the -icti4 e-en a. he wa. alrea!6 .prawle! on the 5ron!# The
-icti4 wa. otn41ere!# A. a5ain.t the co41ine! .tren5th o2 the appellant. an! Ritchie+ the
-icti4 wa. helple..# There wa. in!1ita1l6 ineAalit6 o2 .tren5th 1etween the -icti4 an! the
appellant. an! Ritchie#
%$
The Pro"er Pena$ties
Un!er Article )*> o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e+ the penalt6 2or 4r!er i. rec$usion "er"etua to
!eath# There 1ein5 no 4o!i26in5 circ4.tance. in the co44i..ion o2 the cri4e other than the
Aali26in5 circ4.tance o2 a1.e o2 .perior .tren5th+ appellant /inche.ter A1t .hol! 1e
.entence! to rec$usion "er"etua con2or4a1l6 with Article '% o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e#
The penalt6 i4po.e! 16 the trial cort on appellant "re54ar 0ali5a which i. 2ro4 ten 6ear. o2
"rision mayor a. 4ini44 to $& 6ear. an! * 4onth. o2 rec$usion tem"ora$+ a. 4a<i44 i.
correct# The appellant wa. .e-enteen an! ei5ht 4onth. ol! when the cri4e wa. co44itte! an!
n!er Article '> o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e+ the penalt6 2or the cri4e .hol! 1e re!ce! 16 one
!e5ree#
Civi$ 3ia*i$ities of the !""e$$ants
The trial cort awar!e! to the heir. o2 the -icti4 E!5ar "alarpe P&7+((( a. ci-il in!e4nit6 an!
P&7+((( a. 4oral !a4a5e.# The !eci.ion o2 the trial cort 4.t 1e 4o!i2ie!# Con2or4a1l6 with
the crrent jri.pr!ence+ the appellant. are o1li5e! to pa6 in .oli!4 the heir. o2 the -icti4+
E!5ar "alarpe+ the a4ont o2 P7(+((( a. ci-il in!e4nit6#
%)
Howe-er+ the6 are not lia1le 2or
4oral !a4a5e. 1eca.e the pro.ection 2aile! to pre.ent the heir. o2 the -icti4 to pro-e .ai!
!a4a5e.#
%%
IN LI"HT ,F ALL THE F,RE",IN"+ the !eci.ion o2 the Re5ional Trial Cort o2 Ca5a6an !e
,ro Cit6+ 0ranch )7+ in Cri4inal Ca.e No# 8&-$7(* i. AFFIR3ED with 3,DIFICATI,NS#
Appellant. /inche.ter A1t an! "re54ar 0ali5a are 2on! 5ilt6 1e6on! rea.ona1le !o1t o2
4r!er n!er Article )*> o2 the Re-i.e! Penal Co!e Aali2ie! 16 a1.e o2 .perior .tren5th#
There 1ein5 no other 4o!i26in5 circ4.tance. in the co44i..ion o2 the cri4e+ appellant
/inche.ter A1t i. .entence! to .22er the penalt6 o2 rec$usion "er"etua# Appellant "re54ar
0ali5a i. .entence! to .22er an in!eter4inate penalt6 o2 2ro4 ten D$(E 6ear. o2 "rision mayor in
it. 4e!i4 perio!+ a. 4ini44+ to .e-enteen D$&E 6ear. an! 2or D*E 4onth. o2 rec$usion
tem"ora$ in it. 4e!i4 perio!+ a. 4a<i44# Sai! appellant. are here16 or!ere! to pa6 in
so$idum the heir. o2 the -icti4+ E!5ar "alarpe+ the a4ont o2 P7(+((( a. ci-il in!e4nit6# The
awar! 2or 4oral !a4a5e. i. !elete!#
Co.t. de oficio#
S, ,RDERED#
avide, 4r., C .4 ., Be$$osi$$o, Puno, #itug, Pangani*an, 0nares-/antiago, /andova$-5utierre1,
Car"io, !ustria-%artine1, Corona, Car"io %ora$es and !1cuna, 44 ., concr#
'uisum*ing, 4 ., on o22icial lea-e#
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