GR L 2154; (April, 1950) (Digest)
G.R. No. L-2154; April 26, 1950
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ANTONIO OTADORA, ET AL., defendants. HILARIA CARREON, appellant.
FACTS
Antonio Otadora and Hilaria Carreon were charged with the murder of spouses Leon Castro and Apolonia Carreon (Hilaria’s sister). Otadora pleaded guilty and was sentenced to life imprisonment. Hilaria Carreon pleaded not guilty, was tried, found guilty as an instigator, and initially sentenced to death. The prosecution evidence established that Hilaria, due to a property dispute and prior criminal complaints with the victims, repeatedly solicited Otadora to kill the couple, promising monetary reward and providing a revolver, bolo, clothing, and money. Otadora carried out the killings on June 16, 1947. After the crime, Hilaria gave Otadora additional money and warned him to flee. Hilaria denied involvement, claiming Otadora acted alone out of a personal grudge against Castro and framed her due to her past actions during the Japanese occupation.
ISSUE
Whether Hilaria Carreon is guilty as an instigator of the double murder.
RULING
Yes. The Supreme Court affirmed Hilaria Carreon’s guilt but modified the penalty. The Court found the testimonies of Otadora and corroborating witnesses credible and sufficient to establish beyond reasonable doubt that Hilaria induced Otadora to commit the murders through promises of reward and provided the means. The defense theory of a frame-up was rejected for lack of credible evidence. The killings were qualified by treachery and aggravated by evident premeditation. However, for lack of sufficient votes for the death penalty, the Court sentenced Hilaria Carreon to life imprisonment for each murder (not exceeding 40 years under Article 70 of the Revised Penal Code) and to indemnify the heirs of the victims.
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