G.R. No. L-1516 December 2, 1948
PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. RICARDO DE LOS REYES, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

The accused, Ricardo de los Reyes, a special agent of the Manila Police Department, was charged with the murder of Narciso Lapus. The prosecution evidence established that on October 29, 1946, Estrella Carpio, the common-law wife of the deceased, sought the accused’s help to have Lapus arrested due to threats against her life. Instead of arresting Lapus, the accused shot him from behind at close range near Bambang market. Medical testimony confirmed the fatal gunshot wound was inflicted from a lower position behind the victim. After the killing, the accused confronted Carpio, admitted to the murder, and then sexually assaulted her under threat. The accused denied the charge and presented a witness, Alfonso Redoña, a prison inmate, who claimed responsibility for the killing, but his testimony was found incredible.

ISSUE

Whether the accused is guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the murder of Narciso Lapus.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the trial court’s judgment convicting the accused of murder. The prosecution evidence, particularly the credible testimony of Estrella Carpio corroborated by physical evidence and the accused’s own admissions, sufficiently established his guilt. The defense’s alternative perpetrator theory was rejected as inherently unbelievable. The Court found no aggravating or mitigating circumstances and upheld the penalty of reclusion perpetua, with an indemnity of P2,000 to the heirs of the deceased.

AI Generated by Armztrong.