GR 43280; (October, 1935) (Digest)
G.R. No. 43280 ; October 11, 1935
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. TIMOTEO RAMPONIT, defendant-appellant.
FACTS
The appellant, Timoteo Ramponit, was convicted of parricide for killing his wife, Fortunata Belleza. The prosecution evidence established that in a public market, appellant seized his wife by the neck and stabbed her multiple times, causing her death. He then chased a business partner of his wife, Bartolome Domogma, but was prevented by a policeman. Appellant admitted the killing but claimed it was unintentional, asserting he was trying to free himself from his wife’s hold during a confrontation with Domogma and swung a knife backward without realizing he was striking her.
ISSUE
Whether the killing was unintentional, thereby exempting appellant from criminal liability.
RULING
No. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction. Where the accused admits the killing, the burden of proving exculpatory circumstances, such as lack of intent, rests upon him. The court found appellant’s version “too fantastic” to overcome the prosecution’s clear evidence. The absence of a known motive is irrelevant when the accused’s commission of the act is established and uncontested, as motive is only significant where guilt is doubtful, such as in circumstantial evidence cases. The penalty of reclusion perpetua and other penalties imposed by the trial court were upheld.
AI Generated by Armztrong.