People v Petenia

FACTS:

PETENIA, CASTANEDA AND LUGON CONSPIRED TO KILL AND ROB MRS.GUANLAO OF HER VALUABLES. PETENIA COVERED THE MOUTH OF GUANLAO, LUGON HIT HER WITH ADOBE STONE. PETENIA DELIVERED FISTIC BLOWS. AS GUANLAO FELL TO THE GROUND, LUGON AND PETENIA HIT HER AGAIN TWICE AND CAUSED HER DEATH.

PETENIA AND CASTANEDA WERE ARRESTED FOR ROBBERY WITH HOMICIDE

ISSUE:

- W/N LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT REJECTING THEIR EXTRAJUDICIAL CONFESSIONS

-W/N LOWER COURT ERRED IN FINDING CRIME WAS COMMITTED IN CONSPIRACY

- W/N LOWER COURT ERRED IN NOT ACQUITTING THEM CAUSE OF EXEMPTING CIRCUMSTANCE (UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR)

HELD:

- NO. BURDEN IS ON DEFENSE TO PROVE THAT A CONFESSION WAS OBTAINED AS A RESULT OF VIOLENCE, INTIMIDATION, THREAT OR PROMISE OF REWARD OR LENIENCY. NO EVIDENCE TO JUSTIFY THAT THE EXTRAJUDICIAL CONFESSIONS WERE BY FORCE.

- NO. CIRCUMSTANCES UNDER THE COMMITTED CRIME SHOW A SINGLE PURPOSE AND IN UNISON WITH EACH ACT OF THE ACCUSED TO THE ATTAINMENT OF THE PURPOSE

- NO. REQUISITES MUST BE PRESENT. (EXISTENCE OF UNCONTROLLABLE FEAR, FEAR MUST BE REAL AND IMMINENT, FEAR OF INJURY IS GREATER THAN OR EQUAL TO THE COMMITTED ACT) PETENIA CONTENDED THAT HE DELIVERED FISTIC BLOWS BECAUSE HE WAS AFRAID THAT LUGON AND CASTANEDA WILL HIT HIM WITH HOLLOW BLOCKS. CASTANEDA CLAIMED THAT HE RANSACKED BEDROOM OF GUANLAO BECAUSE LUGON AND PETENIA POKED A KNIFE AT HIM. COURT SAID CASTANEDA COULD HAVE EASILY ESCAPED WHEN HE WAS ALREADY AT THE HOUSE OF VICTIM. GUILT OF ACCUSED HAS BEEN PROVEN BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.