G.R. No. L-1752; July 27, 1949
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ERNESTO POBLETE Y MENDOZA, ET AL., defendants. ERNESTO POBLETE Y MENDOZA, appellant.

FACTS

Appellant Ernesto Poblete, along with four others, was charged with robbery with homicide. The incident occurred when five armed men broke into a house in Sampaloc, Manila, gathered the inmates, and stole cash and valuables. During the robbery, one inmate, Alfredo Carpio, escaped and cried for help. As the robbers fled, they fired shots into the house, fatally hitting Alfredo’s sister, Concepcion Carpio. Three co-accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence, as their confessions were deemed coerced. The trial court convicted Poblete based primarily on his own confession and the testimony of Alfredo Carpio, who claimed to have recognized Poblete when he allegedly pulled down his mask.

ISSUE

Was the conviction of appellant Ernesto Poblete for robbery with homicide valid based on the evidence presented, particularly his confession and the eyewitness identification?

RULING

Yes, the conviction is affirmed. The Supreme Court found that the appellant’s confession was voluntary and not coerced, as the arresting officers denied any maltreatment and the circumstances suggested he confessed after being implicated by his co-accused. The Court gave little weight to the eyewitness identification due to contradictions and poor lighting conditions but upheld the conviction based on the admissible confession. The penalty of reclusion perpetua and indemnities were affirmed, with the additional order for appellant to pay the value of the stolen property.

AI Generated by Armztrong.