IV #143

Criminal Law Review (Persons Criminally Liable)

IN GRAVE AND LESS GRAVE FELONIES (ACCOMPLICES)
People of the Philippines vs. Nierra
G.R. No. L - 32624 (February 12, 1980)
Per Curiam
inducement must precede the act induced and must be so influential in producing the criminal act that without it the act would not have been performed.

FACTS: The victim, Juliana Gadugdug-Nierra, and one of the acussed Paciano Nierra, (her brother-in-law) were
competitors in the businesses of launch transportation and the sale of soft drinks. In order to monopolize those
businesses in the locality, Paciano Nierra conceived the idea of liquidating his competitor. His cousin-in-law,
Felicisimo Doblen introduced him to Gaspar Misa, a convicted murderer and prison escapee, Paciano with his wife
Gaudencia agreed to pay Misa P3,000 to kill Juliana.

On the day of the killing, Doblen delivered to Misa a package containing a caliber .38 pistol with five bullets. Misa
contacted his friend, Vicente Rojas, to work as his lookout, while Gaudencia and Paciano stationed themselves at
nearby houses to witness the killing. Doblens was not present during the killing. Between 7 and 8 oclock that night,
Juliana went to the beach where she was accustomed to void when she squatted, Misa unexpectedly appeared
behind her. He inserted into her mouth the muzzle of the pistol and fired it instantly killing Juliana.

Witnesses came forward, one stating he saw Misa fleeing the scene of the crime, while another stated she saw
spouses Nierra in the vicinity. This led to thr arrest of Misa, who later confessed to the crime during the
investigation.

Misa, Doblen, Rojas and the Nierra spouses, as co-conspirators, were charged with murder aggravated by reward,
treachery, evident premeditation, nocturnity, ignominy and abuse of superiority and, as to Misa, recidivism, since he
had been sentenced to reclusion perpetua for murder.

BACKDROP IN COURTS:

CFI South Cotobato: Convicted them of murder, sentencing each of them to death and ordering them to pay
solidarity an indemnity of twelve thousand pesos to the heirs of the victim Juliana Nierra.

ISSUE/s: WON DOBLEN, ROJAS, AND THE NIERRA SPOUSES WERE CORRECTY CONVICTED AS CO-CONSPIRATORS
BY THE LOWER COURT?
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IV #143
Criminal Law Review (Persons Criminally Liable)
IN GRAVE AND LESS GRAVE FELONIES (ACCOMPLICES)

HELD:

YES As to the Nierra Spouses. NO As to Doblen and Rojas. They are ACCOMPLICES.

The Nierra spouses argued that before Misa's testimony could be admitted as evidence them, the alleged conspiracy
must first be proven by evidence other than such testimony and that there is no such independent evidence. This
argument is wrong. It is not supported by action 27 of Rule 130. Their contention is untenable, Section 27 "applies
only to extrajudicial acts or declarations but not to testimony given on the stand at the trial where the defendant has
the opportunity to cross-examine the declarant."

Another contention of theirs is that the trial court convicted them on the basis of the hearsay testimonies of
Guillermo Sanchez and Jose Samoya(witnesses). This argument is misleading, the testimonies of Sanchez and
Samoya merely proved that Misa, Rojas and Doblen were implicated in the killing of Juliana Nierra. It was the
affidavit of Sanchez, linking Misa to the killing, the police arrested him and obtained his confessions which
implicated appellants Nierra as the investigators. Their judgment of conviction was anchored principally on the
confessions and testimony of Misa, the tool used by the Nierra spouses in encompassing Juliana's death. Misa's
evidence cannot be regarded as hearsay.

Moreover, Misa wrote the following note to Paciano when they were confined in the city jail (translation):
My companion Pacing (Paciano):

I am directly telling you and you could be sure that I will do my best that you will be free. Before the trial of (in) court, I
would like that you give me the sum of P600 even if you give the cash advance of P 500 before Sunday. OK and you give
the same thru the hole.

Your companion,

(Sgd.) Gaspar Misa

Believe me that I will free you and burn this immediately.

The above note clearly proves that Misa and Paciano were co- conspirators. The Nierras were co-principals by
inducement. By acting as lookouts during the perpetration of the killing, they became co-principals by cooperation
as well.

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Criminal Law Review (Persons Criminally Liable)
IN GRAVE AND LESS GRAVE FELONIES (ACCOMPLICES)
As to the two other appellants, Felicisimo Doblen's role was that of having introduced Misa to the Nierra spouses and
delivering the murder weapon to Misa. He was not present at the scene of the crime. On the other hand, Vicente
Rojas acted acted as lookout and received fifty pesos for his participation. After a conscientious reflection on the
complicity of Doblen and Rojas, we have reached the conclusion that they should be held guilty as accomplices. It is
true, strictly speaking, that as co-conspirators they should be punished as co-principals.

However, since their participation was not absolutely indispensable to the consummation of the murder, the rule
that the court should favor the milder form of liability may be applied to them.

Considering the aggravating circumstances, the death penalty imposed on the Paciano Nierra is in accordance- with
law. However, for lack of the requisite ten votes, the death penalty imposed on Gaudencia Nierra should be
commuted to reclusion perpetua.

Final Ruling:

(1) The lower court's judgment is affirmed with respect to Gaspar Misa and Paciano Nierra.

(2) The death sentence imposed on Gaudencia Nierra is communited to reclusion perpetua. The civil liability
imposed upon her by the trial court is affirmed.

(3) Appellants Felicisimo Doblen and Vicente Rojas are convicted as accomplices. They are each sentenced to an
indeterminate penalty of ten years of prision mayor medium as minimum to seventeen years of reclusion temporal
medium as maximum and to pay solidarily with the principals an indemnity of six thousand pesos (as their quota) to
the heirs of Juliana Nierra. They are each subsidiarily liable to the extent of six thousand pesos for the principals' civil
liability. Costs against the accused.

- JPB

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