G.R. No. 113 : April 24, 1902
THE UNITED STATES, complainant-appellee, vs. SAMARIN, defendant-appellant.

FACTS:
The Moro Samarin was charged with homicide and robbery. The complaint alleged that in June 1900, at Sigamay, Iligan, he fatally stabbed Juan Castro with a bolo and subsequently took 20 pesos and pieces of cloth from the deceased. The defendant pleaded not guilty, claiming that one Domingo Sipagan was the actual killer and that Sipagan had given him the pieces of cloth found in his possession. The prosecution’s primary witness was Domingo Sipagan himself, who testified that he was with Castro when Samarin attacked and killed Castro, then took several pieces of cloth. Sipagan fled the scene. Another witness, Domingo Ibarra, testified that a search party, led by the local president, went to the alleged crime scene but found no body or any signs of the incident. The deceased, Juan Castro, was unknown in the area, and no relatives were identified.

ISSUE:
Whether the guilt of the accused for the crimes of homicide and robbery has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

RULING:
No. The Supreme Court reversed the judgment of conviction and acquitted the defendant. The Court held that the corpus delicti (the fact that a crime has been committed) was not proven after an exhaustive investigation. The body of the alleged victim was never found, and no evidence corroborated the occurrence of the killing or robbery at the location. The sole testimony of Domingo Sipagan, who was himself implicated by the defendant’s testimony, was insufficient to establish guilt. The judgment of the lower court was deemed clearly erroneous. Samarin was acquitted, with costs de oficio.