G.R. No. 208678 - PEOPLE OF THE PHILIPPINES, VS. JEFFERSON WARRINER Y NICDAO, ACCUSED-.D E C I S I O N - Supreme Court E-Library

Ruling

WHEREFORE, for the death of Lou Anthony Sta. Maria y Pamintuan, this Court finds accused JEFFERSON WARRINER y NICDAO GUILTY beyond reasonable doubt of the crime of Murder qualified by treachery. Under Article 248 of the Revised Penal Code, as amended by Republic Act No. 7659, murder is punishable by reclusion perpetua to death. However, the imposition of the death penalty is prohibited by the 1987 Constitution (Section 19(1), Article III). Hence, the proper imposable penalty would be reclusion perpetua. In this case, therefore, accused JEFFERSON WARRINER y NICDAO is meted the penalty of reclusion perpetua. The preventive imprisonment said accused has undertaken shall be fully CREDITED to the service of his sentence. Since the award of civil indemnity and moral damages in Murder cases require[s] no further proof other than the fact of death x x x, accused JEFFERSON WARRINER y NICDAO is directed to PAY the surviving heirs of the deceased Lou Anthony Sta. Maria y Pamintuan the amount of FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS ([P]50,000.00) as civil indemnity and FIFTY THOUSAND PESOS ([P]50,000.00) as moral damages. On ground of reasonable doubt, accused JEFFREY WARRINER y NICDAO and VALENTINO VILLAFLOR y MASANGKAY are ACQUITTED of the crime charged. They are ordered immediately RELEASED from detention unless some other cause exists with which to justify their continued custody under the law. SO ORDERED.