Criminal Law and Witnesses' Testimonies

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Questions and Answers

What was the outcome of the appellant's testimonies in the trial court?

The testimonies were given full faith and credit
The testimonies were deemed unreliable due to ill motive
The testimonies were considered weak and lacked credibility (correct)
The testimonies were dismissed due to lack of material details

What is the consequence of a witness's testimony without any ill motive?

The testimony is given less weight in the trial
The testimony is considered unreliable
The testimony is dismissed due to lack of credibility
The testimony is worthy of full faith and credit (correct)

What is the significance of the trial court's first-hand account of the witnesses' manner of testifying and demeanor during trial?

It is only considered in cases of grave abuse of discretion
It allows the trial court to determine the credibility of the witnesses (correct)
It is irrelevant in determining the credibility of the witnesses
It makes the appellate court's judgment more reliable

What is the general rule in regards to the factual findings of the trial court?

They are accorded respect and not disturbed by the appellate court (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of a positive identification of the accused by prosecution witnesses?

It weakens the appellant's defense of denial (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Court's adoption and affirmation of the trial court's findings?

It strengthens the trial court's findings and makes them less likely to be disturbed (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of proper handling procedures in seized drugs?

To prevent tampering or substitution (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the outcome of the case due to the breaches in the chain of custody rule?

The accused was acquitted (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having witnesses during post-operation procedures?

To ensure the legitimacy and regularity of the apprehension and incrimination proceedings (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was the crime committed by Leonilo Pidoy y Langrio in the case of People vs. Pidoy?

Murder (A) Signup and view all the answers

What happens when appellants file a motion for reconsideration?

They waive the defense of double jeopardy (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the relationship between the wrestling incident and the stabbing in the case of People vs. Pidoy?

There was an appreciable lapse of time between the wrestling incident and the stabbing (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the conclusion of the trial court regarding the attack on Santia?

The attack on Santia was treacherous (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the self-defense theory of the appellants rejected?

Because they restrained the victim and inflicted multiple wounds (C) Signup and view all the answers

What qualified the killing of the victim to murder?

The appellants' deliberate restraint of the victim (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the generic aggravating circumstance of use of a motor vehicle not appreciated?

Because the prosecution failed to show that the motor vehicle was deliberately used (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was correctly appreciated in favor of the appellants?

The mitigating circumstance of voluntary surrender (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is implied about the trial court's power and obligation?

It has the power and obligation to rectify mistakes (D) Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Witness Testimonies and Credibility

Witness testimonies that corroborate each other on material details are worthy of full faith and credit, especially when there is no showing of ill motive.
Denial of an offense is considered a weak defense, especially when faced with positive identification by prosecution witnesses.

Factual Findings and Credibility of Witnesses

Factual findings of the trial court involving the credibility of witnesses are accorded respect, as trial courts have first-hand account of the witnesses' manner of testifying and demeanor during trial.
The Court shall not supplant its own interpretation of the testimonies for that of the trial judge, as the trial judge is in the best position to determine the issue of credibility.

Chain of Custody Rule

The chain of custody rule requires proper handling procedures by anyone who comes in contact with seized drugs to prevent tampering or substitution.
Failure to properly mark seized items and the absence of a DOJ representative during the inventory and marking of seized items can lead to acquittal due to doubts about the integrity and evidentiary value of the seized drugs.

Murder Case

The presence of witnesses during post-operation procedures is necessary to ensure the legitimacy and regularity of the apprehension and incrimination proceedings.
An appreciable lapse of time between a wrestling incident and a stabbing can be considered as treachery, making the attack treacherous.

Appellants' Defense and Conviction

Direct proof of an agreement to commit a felony is not necessary and can be inferred from the acts of the appellants.
The appellants cannot dictate which aspects of the judgment of conviction should be reviewed, and filing a motion for reconsideration waives the defense of double jeopardy.
The trial court has the power and obligation to rectify its mistake in appreciating the qualifying circumstance of abuse of superior strength instead of treachery.
The self-defense theory of the appellants can be rejected if their act of restraining the victim and the number of wounds sustained by the victim negate self-defense.
Treachery can qualify the killing of the victim to murder if the appellants deliberately restrained the victim to enable one of them to deliver the stab blows without giving the victim a chance to defend himself or retaliate.

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