People Vs Roche

6/12/2017 PeoplevsRoche:115182:April6,2000:J.
Mendoza:SecondDivision
SECONDDIVISION
[G.R.No.115182.April6,2000]
PEOPLEOFTHEPHILIPPINES,plaintiffappellee,vs.RESTITUTOROCHEy
NICANOR,MARCELINOFALLOREyNICANOR,FRANCISCOGREGORIOy
MONCADAandDORICOCABALLESyNICANOR,accused.francis
RESTITUTOROCHE,accusedappellant.
DECISION
MENDOZA,J.:
Thisisanappealfromadecision[1]oftheRegionalTrialCourt,Branch120,KaloocanCity,finding
accusedappellantRestitutoRocheguiltyofmurderandsentencinghimtosufferthepenaltyof
reclusionperpetuaandtoindemnifytheheirsofthevictim,RoderickFerol,intheamountof
P50,000.00.
Thefactsareasfollows:
OnJune4,1992,aninformationformurderwasfiledagainstaccusedappellantRestitutoRocheand
threeothers,namely,MarcelinoFallore,FranciscoGregorio,andoneJohnDoe.Theinformation,filed
intheRegionalTrialCourtofKaloocanCity,alleged
Thatonoraboutthe31stdayofMay1992inKalookanCity,MetroManilaandwithinthe
jurisdictionofthisHonorableCourt,theabovenamedaccusedconspiringtogetherand
mutuallyhelpingoneanother,withdeliberateintenttokill,withtreachery,taking
advantageofsuperiorstrength,andbeingarmed,didthenandtherewilfully,unlawfully
andfeloniouslyattackandstaboneRODERICKFEROLYTUDIC@DIKDIKwith
bladedweaponsondifferentpartsofhisbody,therebyinflictinguponthelatterserious
physicalinjuries,whichinjuriescausedthevictimsdeath.
CONTRARYTOLAW.[2]
WhenarraignedonJune18,1992,alloftheaccused,withtheexceptionofJohnDoe,pleaded"not
guilty"tothecrimecharged,whereupontheyweretried.TheprosecutionpresentedDr.DarioL.
Gajardo,HelenAmarille,[3]RodelFerol,PO3OrlandoValencia,RosalindaFerol,andRogelioRossel
whosetestimoniesanddocumentaryevidenceshowedthat,ataround5oclockintheafternoonof
May31,1992,RoderickandRodelFerolwerehavingdrinkswithafriendnamedBobotinsidethe
FerolcompoundatBlock4,Lot40,BagongSilang,KaloocanCity.Withoutanywarning,accused
appellantRestitutoRocheandFranciscoGregoriobargedintothecompound.Franciscotriedtohit
RodelFerolwithanemptybeerbottlemarked"BeerGrande"butfailedbecausehiscommonlawwife,
HelenAmarille,pulledhimawayontime.[4]RoderickFerolwasnotasluckyashisbrother.Roderick
wasstabbedonthebackwithanicepickbyaccusedappellant.Roderickrantowardsthehouseof
hisfriendBobot[5]but,outsidethecompound,DoricoCaballescaughtupwithhim.Roderickfelltothe
groundandwasrepeatedlystabbedwithaknifebyDorico.RogelioRosseltriedtostopDoricobuthe
waschasedbythelatter.Abrotherofthevictim,JonJon,threwbottlesatDorico,forcingthelatterto
runaway,andleavehisvictimbehind.RoderickwasthentakentohishousebyRogelioandJonJon.
[6]
Butatthetime,Roderickwasalreadydead.[7]marie
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6/12/2017 PeoplevsRoche:115182:April6,2000:J.Mendoza:SecondDivision
HelenAmarillesoughtassistancefromthepolicestationinBagongSilang.[8]SheledPO3Orlando
Valencia,PO3CelerinoVertez,PO3JoseMarle,andPO2GilTorres,alloftheKaloocanCityPolice
Station,tothesceneofthecrime,butasthevictimwasnolongerthere,theyproceededtoRoches
residence.Helenpointedtoaccusedappellant,MarcelinoFalloreandFranciscoGregorioasthe
assailantsofRoderickFerol.ThesuspectsweretakentotheBagongSilangPoliceStationfor
investigation.[9]
Dr.DarioL.Gajardo,MedicoLegalOfficerofthePNPLaboratoryServiceStation,conductedan
autopsyonthebodyofRoderickFerol.HisfindingswereembodiedinMedicoLegalReportNo.M
089992[10]which,inpertinentparts,reads:
...
SPECIMENSUBMITTED:
CadaverofRoderickT.Ferol,about21yearsold,student,165cminheightanda
residentofPhase5,Pkg4,BlkGLot2,BagongSilang,KalookanCity.
PURPOSEOFLABORATORYEXAMINATION:
...Todeterminethecauseofdeath.
FINDINGS:
Fairlydeveloped,fairlynourishedmalecadaverinrigormortiswithpostmortemlividity
overthedependentportionsofthebody.Conjunctivaeandlipsarepale.Nailbedsare
cyanotic.
HEAD,TRUNKANDUPPEREXTREMITIES:
(1)Stabwound,leftmaxillaryregion,measuring3by0.8cm,10cmfromtheanterior
midline,4cmdeep,directeddownwards,anteriorwardsandmedialwards,fracturingthe
leftmaxilla.
(2)Stabwound,leftshoulder,measuring2by0.6cm,21cmfromtheanteriormidline,4
cmdeep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandmedialwards.
(3)Stabwound,chest,measuring5.5by2cm,2cmrightoftheanteriormidline,5cm
deep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandlateralwards,fracturingthesternumat
thelevelofthe2ndthoracicrib,laceratingtheupperlobeoftherightlung.
(4)Abrasion,rightshoulder,measuring1.5by1cm,12cmfromtheanteriormidline.
(5)Linearabrasion,rightinfraclavicularregion,measuring2by0.5cm,12cmfromthe
anteriormidline.
(6)Stabwound,chest,measuring2by1cm,1.5cmrightoftheanteriormidline,4cm
deep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandlateralwards,fracturingthe5thright
thoracicrib,laceratingthemiddlelobeoftherightlung.novero
(7)Stabwound,leftlumbarregion,measuring2by1cm,12cm.fromtheposterior
midline,3cmdeep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandmedialwards,passingthru
the9thleftintercostalspace,laceratingthelowerlobeoftheleftlung.
(8)Stabwound,leftlumbarregion,measuring2.8by.8cm,12cmfromtheposterior
midline,directeddownwards,medialwardsandanteriorwards.
(9)Stabwound,leftcostalregion,measuring1by2.5cm,2cmfromtheanterior
midline,5cmdeep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandmedialwards,lacerating
theleftlobeoftheliver.
(10)Abrasion,rightcubitalfossa,measuring3by2cm,2cmmedialtoitsanterior
midline.
(11)Graceabrasion,middle3rdoftherightforearm,measuring7by7cm,alongits
anteriormidline.
(12)Incisedwound,distal3rdoftherightforearm,measuring4by0.5cm,alongits
anteriormidline.
(13)Incisedwound,proximal3rdoftheleftforearm,measuring8.5to0.3cm,2cm
lateraltoitsanteriormidline.
(14)Incisedwound,distal3rdoftheleftforearm,measuring2by0.2cm,3.5cmlateral
toitsanteriormidline.
(15)Abrasion,distal3rdoftheleftforearm,measuring3.5by0.7cm,2cmmedialtoits
posteriormidline.
Thereare1,500ccofbloodandbloodclotsaccumulatedinthethoracicandabdominal
cavities.
Stomachisfullofdinuguan.
xxxxxxxxx
CONCLUSION:
Causeofdeathiscardiorespiratoryarrestduetoshockandhemorrhagesecondaryto
stabwoundsintheheadandtrunk.
...
EXAMINEDBY:(signed)
DARIOL.GAJARDO
SuperintendentMS(PNP)nigel
MedicoLegalOfficer&
Chief
Thedefensepresentedaswitnessesaccusedappellant,FranciscoGregorio,MarcelinoFallore,and
LeticiaCostowhosetestimoniesareasfollows:
Atabout10:00oclockinthemorningofMay31,1992,accusedappellantssonwasbaptizedina
churchwithFranciscoGregorioasgodfather.Afterthebaptism,ataround12:00oclock,astheparty
wasonitswaytoaccusedappellantsresidence,accusedappellantnoticedRoderickandRodelFerol
havingdrinksinsidetheircompound.
Afterreachinghisresidence,accusedappellantwentouttobuytwocasesofbeerfromanearby
store.Onhiswaybacktohishouse,hewasstoppedbyRoderickandRodelFerol.Rodericktripped
him,sohefelltotheground.AsRoderickdrewaknife,accusedappellantdidnotfighthim,rather,he
ranhome.Afterlearningwhathadhappened,someoftheguests,amongwhomwereFrancisco
Gregorio,MarcelinoFallore,andDoricoCaballestriedtohelphim,buttheywereinitiallyprevented
fromgoingoutofthehousebythewomen.However,DoricoCaballesandtheotherguestswerelater
abletogetoutofthehouse.DoricoCaballes,withknifeinhishand,wentafterRoderickFerol.
FranciscoGregoriofollowedDorico,holdinginhishandabeerbottlemarked"Grande."
Atpast5:00oclockintheafternoon,policemen,accompaniedbyHelenAmarille,arrivedatthehouse
ofaccusedappellant.OntheinformationofAmarille,thepolicearrestedFranciscoGregorio,
MarcelinoFallore,andaccusedappellant.[11]DoricoCaballesescapedandhasremainedatlarge.[12]
Onthebasisoftheevidencepresentedbytheprosecutionandthedefense,thetrialcourtrendereda
decisiononDecember21,1993thedispositiveportionofwhichreads:
WHEREFORE,theCourtfindsthattheprosecutionevidencehasestablishedbeyond
reasonabledoubttheguiltofaccusedRestitutoRocheforthecrimeofmurderbutcould
notmakeapronouncementastotheguiltofaccusedDoricoCaballesbecausehe
remainedatlargeandthereforecouldnotbearraigned.
TheCourtherebysentencesaccusedRestitutoRochetosufferapenaltyofreclusion
perpetuainaccordancewithArticle248oftheRevisedPenalCode,therebeingno
aggravatingandmitigatingcircumstance,andtoindemnifytheheirsthesumof
P50,000.00.
FindingthattheprosecutionevidencefailedtoestablishtheguiltofaccusedFrancisco
GregorioandMarcelinoFallore,bothaccusedareherebyACQUITTED.
SOORDERED.[13]
Hencethisappeal.Accusedappellantcontends:ella
1.Thefindingofguiltagainsttheaccusedappellantiscontrarytotheevidence
2.Thetrialcourterredinfailingtoconsiderinfavoroftheaccusedappellantthe
testimonyand/oraffidavitofprosecutionwitnessRogelioRosselandotherfactsinthe
caseatbar
3.Forclearlackorabsenceofconspiracyamongtheaccused,theaccusedappellant
hereinshouldhavebeenacquitted.[14]
First.Accusedappellantcontendsthathecouldnothavestabbedthevictimwithanicepick,
consideringthenatureandextentoftheinjuriessufferedbythelatter.Hequestionsthecredibilityof
witnessesHelenAmarilleandRodelFerol,bothofwhomstatedtheysawaccusedappellantbarge
intotheFerolcompoundandstabRoderickFerolatthebackwithanicepick.
Tobesure,HelenAmarillestestimonyis,byitself,clear,categoricalandconsistent.Shetestifiedthat
intheafternoonofMay31,1992,shewasinthekitchendoingthelaundrywhilehercommonlaw
husband,RodelFerol,washavingdrinkswithRoderickFerolandafriendnamedBobotwhenallofa
suddenaccusedappellantandFranciscoGregoriocame.Immediately,accusedappellantstarted
stabbingRoderickFerolonhisleftsidewithanicepick.Ontheotherhand,FranciscoGregoriotried
toattackRodelwithabeerbottlemarked"Grande,"butshewasabletopullhimaway.Marcelino
FallorealsotriedtoattackRodelFerolwithastainlessknifebutsheintervenedandstopMarcelino
fromharmingRodel.Angeredbyherintervention,Marcelinothrewastoneather.Rodelthenran
away.RoderickalsoranbutDoricoCaballeswasabletocatchupwithhim.Accusedappellantand
FranciscoGregoriofollowed.SherantothepolicestationinBagongSilangforhelp.[15]
Wenote,however,thatHelenAmarillestestimonydetailedtheeventsleadingtoRoderickFerols
deathwithsuchthoroughnessitraisesthesuspicionthatithadbeenrehearsed."Awitnesswhose
testimonyisperfectinallaspects,withoutaflawandrememberingeventheminutestdetailswhich
jibebeautifullywithoneanother,laysherselfopentosuspicionofhavingbeen[coached]orhaving
memorizedstatementsearlierrehearsed..."[16]
Amarillestestimonysoundssoperfectthatinsteadofinspiringbelief,itbecomessuspect.Itdiffersso
substantiallyfromthetestimonyofhercommonlawhusbandRodelFerol,whoalsoclaimstohave
beenpresentduringtheincident,thatitscredibilityisplacedindoubt.IncontrasttoAmarillesversion,
RodelFeroltestified:
Q:Atabout5:00p.m.,onMay31,1992,doyourememberwhereyouwere?
A:Iwasinourhouse,sir.
Q:Whowaswithyouatyourhouseonsaiddate?
A:MybrotherRoderick,sir.marinella
Q:Whatwereyoudoingatthattime?
A:Wehaveadrinkingspreeinfrontofourhouse,sir.
Q:AsidefromyourbrotherRodelandyou,werethereotherpersonswhoweredrinking
withyouatthattime?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:Whoweretheseotherpersonwhowerewithyouatthattime?
A:Thefriendofmybrother,sir.
Q:Whatisthename?
A:Bobot,sir.
Q:AsidefromBobot,arethereotherpersonswithyou?
A:Nomore,sir.
Q:Doyourememberanyunusualincidentthathappenedatabout5:00oclockofMay
31,1992whileyouandyourbrotherwerehavingadrinkingspree?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:Whatwasthatunusualincidentthatyouarereferringto?
A:WhenRestitutoRocheenteredourcompound,sir.
Q:YoumentionedthenameofRestitutoRoche,howmanypersonsweretherewho
enteredyourcompoundwithRestitutoRoche?
A:Three(3)sir.
Q:Doyouknowwhoarethesethree(3)otherpersons?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:Whoarethesethree(3)otherpersons?
A:Restituto,MarcelinoandFrancisco,sir.
Q:Whathappenedwhenthesethree(3)personsenteredyourcompoundatabout5:30
intheafternoononsaiddate?
A:Theysuddenlystabbedmybrother,Restitutostabbedmybrother,sir.
Q:WithwhatinstrumentwasyourbrotherstabbedbythisRestitutoRoche?
A:Icepick,sir.alonzo
Q:Onwhatpartofthebodyofyourbrotherwashehitbythisinstrument?
A:Attheback,sir.
Q:HowmanytimeswasyourbrotherRoderickFerolstabbedbyRestituto?
A:Two(2)times,sir.
Q:Youmentionedthathewasstabbedatthebackportionnearyourleftside,where
wastheotherstabmade?
A:AlsoatthebackportionbutIcannotbesure[where]exactly,sir.
Q:WhenRestitutoRochestabbedyourbrotherattheback,whatwastheseMario[or
MarcelinoFallore]andAfran[orFranciscoGregorio]doingatthattime?
A:MarioboxedmewhileAfranwasholdingabottle,sirwhilestanding,sir.
Q:WhatkindofbottlewasAfranholdingatthattime?
A:AbottleofGrande,sir.
Q:YoumentionedthatyouwereboxedbyMario,wherewereyouhit?
A:Atmynose,sir.
Q:NowwhatwasRestitutoRochesayingatthattimehewasstabbingRoderick[Ferol]
atthattime,ifany?
A:HewasnotsayinganythingbecauseIalreadyfelldown[when]Iwasboxed,sir.
Q:HowaboutthisMario,whatwashesayingatthattimethisincidentwas[occurring]?
A:Heisnotsayinganything,sir.
Q:HowaboutthisAfran,washesayinganythingatthattime?
A:None,sir.
Court:
ThisMarioreferstoMarcelino?
A:Yes,[Your]Honor.
Court:
AndAfranreferstoFranciscoGregorio?
A:Yes[Your]Honor.
FiscalQuimpo:brando
HowaboutyourbrotherRoderickFerolwashesayinganythingatthattimehesaw
RestitutoRoche?
A:None,sir.
Q:Howaboutyoudidyousayanything?
A:None,sir.
Q:WhathappenedwhenyourbrotherwasstabbedandyouwereboxedbyMario?
A:Mybrotherranaway,hewasableto[run]away,sir.
Q:Towards,whatdirectiondidhe[run]to?
A:Goingtowardshisfriend,sir.
Q:Andwhereisthatfriendthatyouarereferringto?
A:AtthehouseofBobot,ourdrinkingcompanion,sir.
Q:NowwhenRoderickFerolrantowardsthehouseofhisfriend,whatifanydid
RestitutoRochedo?
A:Heranafterhim,sir.
Q:AndwhatwasRestitutoRocheholdingatthattimewhenhewasrunningafter
RoderickFerol?
A:Anitak,sir,bolo.
Q:Howabouttheicepickthatyoumentionedthatheusedinstabbing,wherewasthat
icepickatthattimeheranafterRoderickFerol?
A:Idonotknowwherehelefttheicepick,sir.
Q:Whenyoufirstsawhim[arrive]atyourcompoundreferringtoRoche,what[was]
RestitutoRocheholdingatthattimethatyoufirstsawhim?
A:Icepick,sir.
Q:Isiticepickonly?
A:Yes,sir,butwhenheranaftermybrotherhewasholdingabolo,sir.
Q:Whenyourbrotherrantowardsthehouseofhisfriend,whatdidyoudoifany?
A:Ifollowedhim,sir.micks
Q:HowaboutthisMarioandAfran,whatweretheydoingwhenRochewasrunningafter
yourbrother?
A:Iwasnotabletoseewhattheydid,sir.
Q:WhydidyounotgoafterRestitutoRocheandyourbrother?
A:Iwasnotabletoseewhat[they]aredoingbecauseIwasnotabletocatchupwith
them,sir.
Q:NowafterRestitutoRocheranafteryourbrotherRoderickFerolwhenwasthelast
timethatyousawyourbrotherRoderickFerol?
A:Whenhewasalreadylyingfacedowninfrontofthehouseofhisfriend,sir.
Q:Howfarwasthatplace[where]hewaslyingdownfromtheplacewhereyouhada
drinkingsession?
A:Itisfarsirmoreorlessfive(5)meters,sir.
Q:WhenyousawyourbrotherlyingdownonthegroundwherewasRestitutoRoche?
A:Iwasnotabletoseehimthere,sir.
Q:WhatdidyoudowithyourbrotherRoderickFerolwhenyousawhimlyingdown?
A:Icarriedhim,sir.
Q:Whatwashisconditionatthattimeyousawhim?
A:Hewasalreadydead,sir.
Q:Andhowdidyouknowthathewasalreadydead?
A:Hewasnotbreathinganymore,sir.[17]
AcomparisonofthetestimoniesofHelenAmarilleandRodelFerolrevealsdiscrepanciesonmaterial
points.WhileAmarilleclaimedthatMarcelinoFalloretriedtoattackRodelFerolwithastainlessknife,
RodelFerolstatedthatMarcelinoboxedhim(Rodel)inthenose.Amarillesaidsheintervenedto
protectRodelFerolfromtheattack.However,RodelFerolmakesnomentionofHelenspresence
duringtheincident.NeitherdidhementionanyattemptbyMarcelinoFalloretohithimwithaknife.On
theotherhand,HelenAmarillerememberedno"itak"or"bolo"whichaccusedappellantcarried.It
taxesonescredulitythatwhileHelenAmarilleandRodelFerolcouldremembersuchdetailsastothe
kindofbottleFranciscoGregoriowascarrying,theycouldnotrememberwhotriedtopunchwhom
andwhocarriedwhatkindofweapon,orevenwhowaspresentduringtheincident.Theseare
inconsistenciesconcerningsubstantialmattersthatcannotjustbeoverlooked.Itissettledthat"where
thetestimoniesoftwokeywitnessescannotstandtogether,theinevitableconclusionisthatoneor
bothmustbetellingalie,andtheirstoryamereconcoction."[18]
WhosetestimonythenmaybebelievedbythisCourt?Thetestimonyofneitherone.
ThereisnoquestionthatRodelFerolwaspresentatthetimeoftheincident.Hewashavingdrinks
withthevictimRoderickandafriend.HebeliedAmarillesclaimthatshewaspresentwhenthe
incidenthappened.Rodeltestified:nigella
Q:Howaboutyourwifedidyouseeher[get]outfromthecompound?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:Wheredidshegoifyouknow?
A:Shewenttothehouseofmygrandmother,sir.
Q:Whattimewasthatwhenshewenttothehouseofyourgrandmother?
A:Around4:00oclocksir.
Q:Andshenevercamebackuptothetimethisincidenthappened?
A:Shereturnedsirbutitwasaftertheincident,sir.
Q:Soatthattimeoftheincidentyourwifewasnotinyourhouse?
A:Yes,sir.[19]
Ontheotherhand,Rodelstestimonyiscontrarytothephysicalevidence.Rodeltestifiedthat
accusedappellantstabbedthevictimwithanicepick.Recallingtheevents,hesaid:
Q:NowMr.WitnessyousaidyouwerepresentwhenRestitutoRochestabbedyour
brotherwithanicepick,wherewereyou[at]thattimewhenyousawforthefirsttime
Rocheholdinganicepick?
A:Hewasinsideourcompound,sir.
Q:WherewasyourbrotherwhenyouclaimedyousawRocheholdinganicepick?
A:Iwasalsoinsidethecompound,sir.
Q:Now,youmentionedthatRochewasableto[approach]yourbrotherwiththatice
pick?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:ThisicepickthatyousawwhichRochewasholdingwasthisthekindoficepick
whichyouusedinbreakingice?
A:Ididnotsayitisbeingusedtobreakice,sir.Sc
Q:Whydidyousaythattheonehewasholdingwasanicepick?
A:Becauseitissharp,sir.
Q:Itispointedandroundthatiswhyyousaiditisanicepick?
A:Yes,sir.
Q:HowfarwereyoufromRochewhenyousawthaticepickbeingheldbyhim?
A:Five(5)stepsaway,sir.
Q:SoyoucouldclearlyseethisicepickbeingheldbythehandofRoche?
A:Yes,sir.[20]
ContrarytoRodelFerolstestimony,however,theautopsyreportrevealsthatthestabwounds
sustainedbyRoderickFerolattheback,(stabwoundnos.7and8),measuring2x1cm.,witha
depthof3cms.and2.8x0.8cm.respectively,couldnothavebeeninflictedbyanicepick.Asthe
medicalexaminerDr.Gajardoobserved,theseinjurieswerecausedbyapointedsinglebladed
weapon.[21]
Thevictimsustainedstabwoundsinthefrontandbackpartsofhisbody."[Staborpuncturewounds]
arewoundswhosedepthisgreaterthantheirlengthorbreadth,andareproducedbyaninstrument
beingdriventhroughtheskin.Thesizeandshapevarieswiththeinstrument."[22]Differenttypesof
weapons,aswellasthemannerinwhichthevictimwasstabbed,canproducedifferenttypesof
wounds:
...Withasharpedgedweaponlikeaknifetheformoftheskinopeningisdetermined
notonlybytheshapeofthebladebutalsobythedirectioninwhichtheelasticfibersin
thedermisofthewoundedareahappentobedirected.Ifaflatbladeentersina
directionparallelwiththefibersaslitlikeorellipticwoundwithsharpedgesandpointed
endsisproduced.Ontheotherhand,iftheelasticfibersareseveredtransversely,the
woundusuallygapesbecauseofthecontractionofthistissue.Ifthefibersaresevered
obliquely,theopeningintheskinmaygapeunevenlyandassumeanasymmetricaloval
shape.Iftheknifebladeisdrawnoutinaslightlydifferentdirectionfromthatinwhichit
entered,otherfibersarecutandthewoundmayshowanotch...Aninstrumentwith
threecornerededges,likeatriangularfile,producesathreecorneredwound...An
implementwithathincircularshaftlikeanicepickinflictsaroundholdoraslitinthe
skin.Iftheshaftiscomparativelythickandroughenedtheremaybeamarginalabrasion
aroundtheopening...Otherweaponsproducetheirowncharacteristiclesions.[23]
Undoubtedly,anicepickwouldcauseawoundthatisconsiderablysmallerthanthatinflictedon
RoderickFerol.Thatanicepickcouldnothaveproducedsurfacewoundsmeasuring1x2cms.and
2.8x0.8cm.,(stabwoundnos.7and8respectively)isamaterialfactwhichthetrialcourtobviously
overlooked.
Thewoundsfoundinthefrontpartsofthevictimsbody(stabwoundsnos.1,2,3,6and9)measured
asfollows:Scmis
...
(1)Stabwound,leftmaxillaryregion,measuring3by0.8cm,10cmfromtheanterior
midline,4cmdeep,directeddownwards,anteriorwardsandmedialwards,fracturingthe
leftmaxilla.
(2)Stabwound,leftshoulder,measuring2by0.6cm,21cmfromtheanteriormidline,4
cmdeep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandmedialwards.
(3)Stabwound,chest,measuring5.5by2cm,2cmrightoftheanteriormidline,5cm
deep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandlateralwards,fracturingthesternumat
thelevelofthe2ndthoracicrib,laceratingtheupperlobeoftherightlung.
...
(6)Stabwound,chest,measuring2by1cm,1.5cmrightoftheanteriormidline,4cm
deep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandlateralwards,fracturingthe5thright
thoracicrib,laceratingthemiddlelobeoftherightlung.
...
(9)Stabwound,leftcostalregion,measuring1by2.5cm,2cmfromtheanterior
midline,5cmdeep,directeddownwards,posteriorwardsandmedialwards,lacerating
theleftlobeoftheliver.[24]
Dr.Gajardotestifiedthatthestabwoundsfoundatthefrontandbackofthedeceasedcouldhave
beeninflictedbyasinglebladedweapon.[25]Theycouldnothavebeencausedbyanicepick.As
clearlystated,anicepickisapointedcircularshaft,notapointedsinglebladedweapon.Apuncture
woundresultingfromanicepickattackwouldobviouslybedifferentfromthatproducedbyasingle
bladedweapon.Ithasbeenheldthatacaneknife,havingamaximumwidthoffiveinches,cannot
causeafatalwoundwhichisonlyonecentimeterinlength.[26]Conversely,anicepickcannotcreatea
surfacewoundthatismorethanoneinch,suchasstabwoundno.8,butwouldproduceawoundso
minusculeinlengthandwidththatitcanbemissedevenbyanexperiencedmedicalexaminer.
Timeandagain,wehaveupheldtheprimacyofphysicalevidenceoverbiasedanduncorroborated
testimonyofwitnesses.Wehaveheld:
...Physicalevidenceisamutebutaneloquentmanifestationoftruth,anditrankshigh
inourhierarchyoftrustworthyevidence.Incriminalcasessuchasmurderorrapewhere
theaccusedstandstolosehislibertyiffoundguilty,thisCourthas,inmanyoccasions,
reliedprincipallyuponphysicalevidenceinascertainingthetruth.InPeoplev.Vasquez,
wherethephysicalevidenceonrecordrancountertothetestimonialevidenceofthe
prosecutionwitnesses,weruledthatthephysicalevidenceshouldprevail.[27]
Thus,amongthetestimonialevidence,onlythetestimonyofRogelioRosselremains.Hedeclared:Mis
sc
QDoyourememberanyunusualincidentatabout5:00oclockintheafternoonofMay
31,1992whileyouwerestandinginfrontofyourhouse?
AMeandmycompanionsweretellingstorywhensomebodyshoutedthereistrouble.
QAndwhatdidyoudowhenyouheardsomebodyshoutingthatthereistrouble?
AItriedtoseeit.
QAndwhatisthattroublethatyousaw?
ATherewerepersonswhowere[stabbing]sir.
QHowmanypersonsthatwerestabbing?
ATwo(2)sir.
QAndwhowasthepersonifyouknowbeingstabbed?
ARoderickFerol,thevictimsir.
QAnddoyouknowthisRoderickFerolreferringtothevictim?
AYes,sir.
QDoyouknowthesepersonsthatwerestabbingRoderickFerol?
AIknowthemsir.
QHowmanywerethey?
AIonlysawone(1)person.
QAndwhoisthatpersonyousawstabbingRoderickFerol?
ADoricsir.
QNow,willyoulookaroundthiscourtroomandcheckifthatDoricispresenttoday?
AHeisnothere,heescaped.
QNow,whatwasthepositionofRoderickFerolwhenhewasbeingstabbedbyDoric?
AHewaslyingdown,sir.
QAsidefromthisDoricwerethereotherpersonsyousawinthetrouble?
ANomore,sir.
QWhatdidyoudoafterthat?Misspped
AIpacifiedDoricsothathewouldstopstabbingthevictim,sir.
QAndwhathappenedwhenyouapproachedDoric?
AHeattemptedtochaseme,sir.
QAndwhatdidyoudowhenDoricattemptedtochaseyou?
AIranaway,sir.
QTowardswhatdirectiondidyou[run]to?
AIturnedleftofourhouse,sir.
QAndwhathappenedafterthatwhenyouturnedlefttoyourhouse?
AThebrotherofRoderickbythenameofJonJonarrivedsir.
QAndwhathappenedwhenJonJonarrived?
AHethrewbottlesagainstme,sir.
QAgainstwho?
AAgainstDoric,sir.
QAndwhowerethereasidefromDoricandJonJon?
ANomore,sirweareonlythree(3)personsatthattime.
QWhathappenedafterthat?
ADoricranaway,sir.
QAndhowaboutyouwhatdidyoudo?
AIwenttothepersonwho[was]stabbed.
QAreyoureferringtoRoderickFerol?
AYes,sir.
QWhatdidyoudowhenyouapproachedRoderickFerol?
AJonJon,Rodelandmecarriedhim,sir.
QTowardswhatdirectionortowheredidyoucarryRoderick[Ferol]?
AInfronttowardsourhouse,sir.Spped
QDoyouknowcertainpersonbythenameofRestitutoRocheorToto?
AYes,sirIsawhimbecauseheisoneofmyfriends.
QWasthereanyoccasionthatyousawhimintheafternoonofMay31,1992?
AIdidnotseehim.
QHowaboutMarcelinoFallorealsoknownasMariowasthereanyoccasionthatyou
sawhimintheafternoonofMay31,1992at5:00oclock?
AIdidnotseehimthere,sir.
QHowaboutFranciscoGregorioalsoknownasAfran,didyouknowhim?
AYes,sir.
QWasthereanyoccasionwhenyousawhimFranciscoGregoriointheafternoonof
May31,1992?
AIdidnotseehim,sir.[28]
RogelioRosselpositivelyidentifiedDoricoCaballesastheassailant.DoricoCaballesisthebrotherof
accusedappellant.Heescapedaftertheincidentanduntilnowisstillatlarge.Itisquiteprobablethat
thevictimsrelativespointedanaccusingfingeratonetheyperceivecouldberesponsibleforthe
victimsdeath.Theyblameaccusedappellantfortheincidentbecauseitwasthelatterwho,bytelling
Doricothatitwasthevictimwhohadcausedhim(Restituto)tofalltotheground,madeDoricoangry.
HadnotaccusedappellanttoldDoricoCaballesthatthevictimwastheonewhohadtrippedhim,
DoricoCaballeswouldnotknowthepersonresponsibleandwouldnothavekilledRoderickFerol.
Second.NorcanaccusedappellantbeheldliableforthekillingofRoderickFerolonthegroundof
conspiracy."[F]orconspiracytoexist,proofofanactualplanningoftheperpetrationofthecrimeisnot
aconditionprecedent.Itmaybededucedfromthemodeandmannerinwhichtheoffensewas
perpetratedorinferredfromtheactsoftheaccusedevincingajointorcommonpurposeanddesign,
concertedactionandcommunityofinterest."[29]
Inthecaseatbar,RogelioRosseltestifiedthathedidnotseeRestitutoRocheatthetimeDorico
CaballeswasstabbingRoderickFerol.[30]ApartfromHelenAmarilleandRodelFerol,whose
testimoniesarehighlysuspect,nootherwitnesswaspresentedtoprovethataccusedappellant
directlyparticipatedinthecommissionoftheoffenseorperformedanactwhichwouldshow
communityofpurposewithDoricoCaballes.Evenifitisassumedastruethataccusedappellantwas
responsiblefortellingDoricoCaballesitwasRoderickFerolwhohadtrippedhim(Restituto),this
wouldnotsufficetofindaccusedappellantinconspiracywithDoricoCaballes.AsweruledinPeople
v.Elijorde:[31]Jospped
...Conspiracymustbeprovedasindubitablyasthecrimeitselfthroughclearand
convincingevidence,notmerelybyconjecture.Toholdanaccusedguiltyasaco
principalbyreasonofconspiracy,hemustbeshowntohaveperformedanovertactin
pursuanceorfurtheranceofthecomplicity.Hence,conspiracyexistsinasituationwhere
atthetimethemalefactorswerecommittingthecrime,theiractionsimpliedlyshowed
unityofpurposeamongthem,aconcertedefforttobringaboutthedeathofthevictim.In
agreatmajorityofcases,complicitywasestablishedbyproofofactsdoneinconcert,
i.e.,actswhichyieldthereasonableinferencethatthedoersthereofwereactingwitha
commonintentordesign.Therefore,thetaskineverycaseisdeterminingwhetherthe
particularactsestablishedbytherequisitequantumofproofdoreasonablyyieldthat
inference.
Indeed,thereisnoprooftoshowaccusedappellant,togetherwithDoricoCaballes,hadresolvedto
attackRoderickFerol.Instead,wethinktheassaultonRoderickFerolwasanimpulsiveactbyDorico
Caballesborneoutofthedesiretogetevenwithhimfortheoffensecommittedagainsthisbrother.In
nowaycansuchactbeattributedtoaccusedappellant.
Neithercanaccusedappellantbeheldliableasanaccompliceforthecrimecharged.Thefollowing
requisitesmustconcurinorderthatapersonmaybeconsideredanaccomplice:
(a)communityofdesign,i.e.,knowingthatcriminaldesignoftheprincipalbydirect
participation,heconcurswiththelatterinhispurpose
(b)hecooperatesintheexecutionoftheoffensebypreviousorsimultaneousactsand,
(c)theremustbearelationbetweentheactsdonebytheprincipalandthoseattributed
tothepersonchargedasaccomplice.[32]
Thereisnoevidencetoshowthataccusedappellantperformedanypreviousorsimultaneousactto
assistDoricoCaballesinkillingRoderickFerol.Infact,ithasnotbeenproventhathewasawareof
DoricoCaballesplantoattackandkillRoderickFerol.Absentanyevidencetocreatethemoral
certaintyrequiredtoconvictaccusedappellant,wecannotupholdthetrialcourtsfindingofguilt."Our
legalculturedemandsthepresentationofproofbeyondreasonabledoubtbeforeanypersonmaybe
convictedofanycrimeanddeprivedofhislife,liberty,orevenproperty.Thehypothesisofhisguilt
mustflownaturallyfromthefactsprovedandmustbeconsistentwithallofthem."[33]Thisiscertainly
notthecasehere.
WHEREFORE,thedecisionoftheRegionalTrialCourt,Branch120,KaloocanCity,isREVERSED
andaccusedappellantisACQUITTEDofthecrimeofmurder.Heis,therefore,orderedimmediately
releasedfromcustodyunlessheislawfullyheldforanothercause.
TheDirectoroftheBureauofCorrectionsisdirectedtoimplementthisDecisionandtoreporttothis
Courttheactiontakenhereonwithinfive(5)daysfromreceipthereof.Sppedjo
SOORDERED.
Bellosillo,(Chairman),Quisumbing,Buena,andDeLeon,Jr.,JJ.,concur.
[1] PerJudgeArturoA.Romero.
[2] Records,p.1.
[3] AlsoreferredtoasHelenAmarillointherecords.
[4] TSN,pp.35,July15,1992.
[5] TSN,p.14,Sept.8,1992.
[6] TSN,pp.35,July28,1992.
[7] TSN,p.15,Sept.28,1992.
[8] TSN,pp.78,July15,1992.
[9] TSN,pp.25,Sept.8,1992.
[10] Exh.C.
[11] TSN,pp.37,Jan.24,1993.
[12] TSN,p.12,Feb.1,1993.
[13] RTCDecision,p.6Records,p.149.
[14] Rollo,p.59.
[15] TSN,pp.48,July15,1992TSN,pp.29,July22,1992.
[16] Peoplev.Rosario,159SCRA192,198(1988).
[17] TSN,pp.1215,Sept.8,1992.
[18] Peoplev.Noay,296SCRA292,302(1998).
[19] TSN,p.18,Sept.8,1992.
[20] TSN,p.19,Sept.8,1992.
[21] TSN,pp.1112,July14,1992.
[22] DouglasJ.A.Kerr,ForensicMedicine,77(5thed.,1954).
[23] ThomasA.Gonzales,M.D.,LegalMedicine:PathologyAndToxicology,335336(2nded.,1954).Emphasisadded.
[24] Exh.C.
[25] TSN,p.15,July14,1992.
[26] Peoplev.Balderas,342Phil.435(1997).
[27] Josev.ManilaCentralBusLines,G.R.Nos.11844142,Jan.18,2000.
[28] TSN,pp.36,July20,1992.Emphasisadded.
[29] Peoplev.Andales,G.R.No.130637,Aug.19,1999.
[30] TSN,p.12,July28,1992.
[31] G.R.No.126531,April21,1999.
[32] Ibid.
[33] Pepitov.CourtofAppeals,G.R.No.119942,July8,1999.

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