G.R. No. 1522; June 16, 1949
EL PUEBLO DE FILIPINAS, plaintiff-appellee, vs. MARCIANO MERIALES Y OTROS, defendants-appellants.

FACTS

Accused Marciano Meriales, Isidro Mendoza, and Alfonso Mendoza were charged with robbery with homicide and serious physical injuries. On the night of July 10, 1946, in Balaoan, La Union, three armed men entered the house of Isabelo Ledda. Inside, Isidro Mendoza and Marciano Meriales shot Bernardo Ledda (who died from three gunshot wounds) and Antonio Ledda (who suffered a neck injury). The accused then took money from a trunk. The trial court convicted Alfonso Mendoza of simple robbery and sentenced Isidro Mendoza and Marciano Meriales to death for robbery with homicide, with aggravating circumstances of nighttime, dwelling, and aid of armed persons.

ISSUE

Whether the guilt of the appellants has been proven beyond reasonable doubt.

RULING

Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed the conviction but modified the penalty. The positive identification by eyewitnesses Isabelo Ledda and Josefina Ledda, who knew the appellants well and recognized them by the light of an oil lamp and flashlights, was credible and convincing. The appellants’ extrajudicial confessions, given without evidence of coercion, further corroborated their guilt. Their alibi defense could not overcome the positive identification. However, for lack of sufficient votes to impose the death penalty, the sentence for Isidro Mendoza and Marciano Meriales was reduced to reclusion perpetua. The judgment was affirmed in all other respects.

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