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Acquittal in Philippine Murder Case

The Supreme Court of the Philippines overturned the conviction of Roberto Esperanza Jesalva for murder. The evidence did not prove that Jesalva conspired with the two other accused men who stabbed and killed the victim. While Jesalva was at the scene, no evidence showed he was waiting for the victim or had communicated with the other men. Mere knowledge of a crime without agreement and cooperation is not enough to establish conspiracy. The court found reasonable doubt in Jesalva's guilt and ruled he could not be convicted based on the evidence presented.

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311 views1 page

Acquittal in Philippine Murder Case

The Supreme Court of the Philippines overturned the conviction of Roberto Esperanza Jesalva for murder. The evidence did not prove that Jesalva conspired with the two other accused men who stabbed and killed the victim. While Jesalva was at the scene, no evidence showed he was waiting for the victim or had communicated with the other men. Mere knowledge of a crime without agreement and cooperation is not enough to establish conspiracy. The court found reasonable doubt in Jesalva's guilt and ruled he could not be convicted based on the evidence presented.

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tinct
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PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES vs.

ROBERTO ESPERANZA JESALVA


G.R. No. 227306, June 19, 2017
JARDELEZA, J.:
Facts: An Information was filed charging accused-appellant, Ryan Menieva and
Junie Ilaw alleging that accused, conspiring together, feloniously with intent to
kill with evident premeditation, treachery and taking advantage of superior
strength, attack, assault and employ personal violence upon the person of Amel
Ortigosa, by then and there stabbing him with a sharp bladed instrument hitting
him on the chest, causing his untimely death.
Accused-appellant denied any participation in Ortigosa's stabbing. He claimed
that on the night of the incident, he was waiting for his sister on the corner of
Dupax Street. While waiting, he saw and heard people running and shouting
which caused him to leave the place.
RTC and CA held that appellant is liable for murder as he conspired with the
other accused.

Issue: Whether or not appellant is guilty of murder.

Ruling: No. To determine if accused-appellant conspired with Menieva and Ilaw,


the focus of the inquiry should necessarily be the overt acts of accusedappellant
before, during and after the stabbing incident.
In this case, no evidence showing that appellant was purposely waiting for
Ortigosa at the time and place of the incident and that Menieva and Ilaw were on
standby, awaiting for accused-appellant's signal. Surely, appellant could not have
anticipated that on September 16, 2007, at around 1:00 a.m., Ortigosa and his
group would pass by and go to the store to buy cigarettes. Appellant's act of
pointing to the victim and his group is not an overt act which shows that accused-
appellant acted in concert with his coaccused to cause the death of Ortigosa.
Mere knowledge, acquiescence or approval of the act, without the cooperation
and the agreement to cooperate, is not enough to establish conspiracy.

Ratio Decidendi: The presentation of proof beyond reasonable doubt before any
person may be convicted of any crime and deprived of his life, liberty, or even
property. The hypothesis of his guilt must flow naturally from the facts proved and
must be consistent with all of them.

Gist: This appeal seeks to reverse and set aside the CA’s Decision, which
upheld the Decision of the RTC, which found appellant Roberto Esperanza
Jesalva guilty beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of murder.

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