G.R. No. 1010 : March 19, 1903
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. JUAN FERIA and DIONISIO VELASQUEZ, defendants-appellants.

FACTS:
On November 12, 1901, policeman Evaristo Perez, accompanied by the young Valentin Ramos, was traveling through Cabalantian, Jaen, on official business. They were met by the defendants, Juan Feria and Dionisio Velasquez. Feria suddenly seized Perez, while Velasquez attempted to seize Ramos, who managed to flee. Velasquez then returned and, while Feria held Perez, attacked Perez with a long bolo, inflicting three mortal wounds. The defendants took Perez’s Colt revolver, belt, and sheath. Perez died shortly thereafter. The defendants initially confessed to their participation in the crime during the preliminary investigation but later recanted at trial, claiming three other individuals were the actual perpetrators.

ISSUE:
Whether the defendants, Juan Feria and Dionisio Velasquez, are guilty of the crime of murder.

RULING:
Yes, the defendants are guilty of murder qualified by treachery (alevosia). The Supreme Court affirmed their conviction, finding the evidence sufficient to establish their guilt beyond reasonable doubt. The Court held that the killing was treacherous because the defendants employed a method of attackwherein one held the victim while the other inflicted the fatal woundsthat ensured the execution of the crime without any risk to themselves arising from the defense the victim might have made. The Court rejected the defendants’ new version of events as unsupported and inconsistent with their prior confessions and the eyewitness testimony of Valentin Ramos. The penalty of cadena perpetua (life imprisonment) with its corresponding accessories was imposed. The Court declined to rule on the separate crime of theft concerning the revolver, as it was not charged, and on the liability of another acquitted defendant, as that judgment had become final.