G.R. No. L-2623; April 26, 1950
THE PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, plaintiff-appellee, vs. ARSENIO BANAYAD, defendant-appellant.

FACTS

Arsenio Banayad was convicted of murder for the killing of Gregorio Reyes Uy Un, who was shot while asleep inside a house on October 14, 1946. The investigation revealed that the fatal shots were fired from outside through the house’s siding using a carbine. Initially, Banayad gave conflicting statements, first denying involvement, then implicating others, and finally confessing that he was the shooter, allegedly upon the order of Mayor Gaudencio Medinilla for a reward. His confession detailed how he positioned himself and fired the shots. Physical evidence corroborated this, including the trajectory of the bullets, a hole in the siding matching the carbine barrel, and a piece of dried coconut leaf from the siding found stuck in the carbine, which was traced to Banayad’s possession. A witness also testified to seeing Banayad near the crime scene that night. Banayad repudiated his confession at trial, claiming it was extracted through threats and violence, and presented an alibi.

ISSUE

Whether the trial court erred in convicting Banayad of murder based on his extrajudicial confession and the corroborating evidence.

RULING

No, the conviction is affirmed. The Supreme Court held that the confession was voluntary and credible, as Banayad had affirmed its voluntariness to the clerk of court and NBI agents, with no evidence of coercion. The confession was corroborated by physical evidence, including the bullet wounds, the hole in the siding, the coconut leaf fragment in the carbine, and witness testimony placing him near the scene. His alibi was weak and contradicted. A prior conviction for theft upon the victim’s complaint provided a motive. The court found no error in the trial court’s assessment of the evidence.

AI Generated by Armztrong.